A Total Of 22 Indonesian Hajj Groups Departed For The First Time On May 12, 2024

Illustration - A number of pilgrims from Tangerang Regency while gathering are waiting for the scheduled departure to the Holy Land. (Between/Azmi Samsul Maarif)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion reported that the inaugural departure for the Hajj season 1445 Hijri/2024 AD will begin on May 12, 2024, with a total of 22 flying groups (cluters) starting from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia.

"On the first day, 22 groups will fly to Saudi Arabia," said Director of Domestic Hajj Services Saiful Mujab in Jakarta as quoted by Antara, Sunday.

Saiful said that at the first departure, pilgrims are scheduled to enter the dormitory on May 11 and are gradually departing on May 12, 2024.

There are 14 embarkation hajj dormitories throughout Indonesia that will serve the departure of pilgrims, namely the Aceh Embarkation (BTJ), Medan or Kualanamu (KNO), Batam (BTH), Padang (PDG), Palembang (PLM), Jakarta Pondok Gede (JKG).

Then, Jakarta Saudia (CKG SV or JKS), Kertajati (KJT), Solo (SOC), Surabaya (SUB), Lombok (LOP), Balikpapan (BPN), Banjarmasin (BDJ), and Makassar or Ujungpangan (UPG).

Meanwhile, the first 22 clusters were divided into two groups from the Jakarta Embarkation Pondok Gede, three groups from the Jakarta Bekasi (JKS) Embarkation, five groups from the Solo embarkation, five groups from the Surabaya Embarkation.

Then, one group each from Batam, Palembang, Banjarmasin, Kertajati, Lombok, Makassar, and Padang Embarkation.

Saiful advised Indonesian pilgrims to maintain their health and fitness, get enough rest and not do too much activity ahead of departure.

Previously, Indonesia this year received 241,000 hajj quotas. This number consists of 213,320 regular Hajj participants and 27,680 special hajj participants.