Arriving In Makkah, Wave II Hajj Pilgrims Direct Compulsory Umrah At The Grand Mosque

Photo via Ministry of Religion

JAKARTA - Arriving in Makkah, the second batch of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims immediately went for the obligatory Umrah at the Grand Mosque.

The second batch of hajj pilgrims is the 24th batch of Embarkation Jakarta - Pondok Gede (JKG 24). There were 393 people who landed at Jeddah Airport at 03.00 Saudi Arabian Time (WAS), as quoted from the official website of the Ministry of Religion, Monday, June 20.

Prior to the obligatory Umrah, the pilgrims were placed at Al Lu'luah Hotel number 301 which is in Sector 3 Raudhah, Makkah to rest before going to the Grand Mosque. The arrival of the congregation in Makkah was earlier than the specified schedule at 07.00 local time because the Jakarta Pondok Gede 24 Embarkation group enjoyed fast track services.

Jali, a pilgrim from Lebak said he had not waited long at Jeddah Airport since getting off the plane.

"Alhamdulillah, I and the other congregants did not wait long at Jeddah Airport, after we took our passports, we immediately prepared to wear ihram, and took the bus to Makkah," said Jali.

Congregants from the Pondok Gede Jakarta Embarkation process the immigration process in Jakarta, through a fast track service. A similar sentiment was conveyed by Ahmad Rodi, a congregation who teaches the Koran in his village. "Alhamdulillah, the process at the airport since getting off the plane is fast, it doesn't take long, after wearing ihram, go straight to Makkah," said Rodi, who has been waiting for hajj for 12 years.

At around 08.00 WAS, the second batch of pilgrims went straight to the Grand Mosque to board the prayer bus. The officers directed the congregation before boarding the salawat bus.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the numbers, routes and colors of the buses will be memorized later. Later, check on the card given," the officer urged.

A total of 6 salawat buses were prepared to deliver pilgrims for the obligatory Umrah to the Grand Mosque. In sector 3, 16 buses are prepared and will be added as other pilgrims arrive.

One of the pilgrims, Fauzi from Banten, was grateful that all the services provided were satisfactory. "From the airport to here the service is good, the staff are all friendly, including when they were greeted by Arabs in Jeddah, the congregation was given flowers," he said.

The second batch of pilgrims gradually arrived in the Holy Land. The arrival of the congregation with the fast track service was also welcomed directly by the Head of the Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH) Arsad Hidayat, Head of the Haryanto Airport Work Area, and the Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Eko Hartono.

With this service, pilgrims will no longer undergo immigration checks upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. The only inspection they went through was X-Ray to check the luggage in their carry-on bags.