The Story Of The Hajj Pilgrim Who Survived The Terror Of The Bomb And Returned In The Hug Of The Family

A hajj member who is a member of Group 33 from Jember Regency was greeted by his family who came to pick him up at the Surabaya Debarkation Hajj Dormitory, Sunday. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - After undergoing a spiritual journey in the Holy Land, the 33 Surabaya Debarkation Hajj Pilgrims were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief upon arrival at the Surabaya Hajj Dormitory.

This moment of return felt even more emotional because previously they had experienced a thrilling experience due to the threat or terror of bombs on their flight.

Secretary of the Organizing Committee for Hajj (PPIH) Surabaya Debarkation, Sugiyo, explained that all congregants were in good health and were not traumatized.

"Thankfully no one is sick or shaken. They even said that services from Saudia Airlines during the evacuation process in Medan were very good and calming," he said when welcoming the arrival of 376 pilgrims from Jember Regency, East Java, Sunday, as quoted by ANTARA.

Their return was delayed a day because the Saudia Airlines SV 5688 aircraft carrying a group from Saudi Arabia had to make an emergency landing at Kualanamu Airport, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, on June 21, following reports of a bomb threat. After being evacuated, all pilgrims were kept overnight at a hotel in Medan for security reasons.

Sugiyo also said that the Governor of North Sumatra was also present to welcome and provide direct support to the congregation at the evacuation site, which provides additional peace. That's a separate story for the congregation. There is a unique experience that they can share with their families in the future," he said.

David Fahri, one of the congregation who returned home with his wife, admitted that the atmosphere during the evacuation process remained conducive.

"We are treated very well, there are hotels, food, everything is facilitated. It feels like we are on an additional vacation after the pilgrimage," he said with a laugh.

The return of the group Group 33 was greeted with emotion by family and relatives who had been waiting for a long time. One of them is Ida, who came with her family from Jember to pick up her mother.

"We were worried because yesterday there was no news, then we heard news about the bomb. But now thank God everyone is safe, we are very grateful," he said.

Closing his statement, Sugiyo reminded other pilgrims who are still in the process of returning to remain calm and not panic. He ensured that the government would continue to cooperate with security authorities, including the FBI, to investigate the threat of bombs that had disrupted flights by Indonesian pilgrims.

"We remain vigilant, but believe me, all security measures are being taken thoroughly," he concluded.