21 Pilgrims Candidates Delayed Due To Health Problems

Prospective Hajj Pilgrims who will depart from Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory/ Photo: IST

TANGERANG - As many as 21 prospective pilgrims from 890 from Tangerang Regency are confirmed to have delayed their departure to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This happens because of health problems.

"Out of the quota of 890 pilgrims, only 869 were able to leave. The remaining 21 pilgrims were delayed due to illness and also in terms of their maximum age," said Head of Section for Hajj and Umrah Implementation at the Ministry of Religion, Tangerang Regency, Iwan Kurniawan, Monday, June 6.

Iwan explained that the delay was based on the new policy of the Saudi Arabian Government. In which, they forbid the prospective pilgrims with the age of 65 years or with unfavorable conditions not to participate in this year's Hajj.

"There are also pilgrims who postpone departure of their own accord because of age problems. So this is not a canceled congregation," he said

He said that of the dozens of pilgrims whose departures were delayed, they would later be prepared to be included in the pilgrimage season the following year.

"God willing, they (delayed pilgrims) are in a position ready to leave next year. Hopefully the Saudi Arabian government can open wider without any restrictions," he concluded.

Previously, it was reported that a total of 389 JKG group 5 hajj pilgrims from Tangerang Regency were released to Pondok Gede, Bekasi before being dispatched to Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang to Mecca.

Head of the Tangerang Regency Ministry of Religion Office, Ade Baijuri, said the pilgrims departed officially on Monday, June 6, at 03.45 WIB.

He added that it was recorded that the total number of those who would later go to Mecca to perform the pilgrimage was 869 pilgrims, of which the number would be divided by 3 departure groups. they have passed the administrative requirements," Ade said when confirmed, Monday, June 6.