It Takes 2 Months If Prospective Hajj Sends Souvenirs Via Cargo To Indonesia

Pilgrims for Hajj candidates send gifts from the Holy Land to their hometowns in Indonesia via cargo services in Mecca, Monday (4/7/2022) (ANTARA/Desi Purnamawati)

MEKKAH - Hajj candidates when sending special souvenirs from the Holy Land to their hometowns via cargo must be patient because it takes two months to arrive in Indonesia.

"Therefore, it is not something that goes stale quickly, such as clothes, baskets, etc.," said Rasdiana, a pilgrim candidate from Pinrang Regency, South Sulawesi, who was met in Mecca as reported by Antara, Monday, July 4.

Rasdiana admitted to sending via cargo because the souvenirs purchased weighed 37 kilograms. He paid around 400 Saudi Riyals for shipping to Pinrang. While the congregation's own baggage is limited, cargo is an option.

"Actually, in the village there are also similar items, but we buy them here looking for the blessings of the Holy Land," said Rasdiana.

Delivery of goods takes quite a long time up to two months because it uses ships. According to the cargo, Ali Jufri, since the COVID-19 pandemic there is no longer air cargo by plane, all by sea.

Ali said the cargo he was involved in was not just a seasonal hajj service but also used to send goods from TKI to the country.

He guarantees that the goods sent will arrive directly at the house. Shipping costs vary depending on the destination, such as Sulawesi, at 17 Saudi Riyals per kilogram.

Meanwhile, shipments to Jakarta are 7 Saudi Riyals per kilogram and to Batam 12 Saudi Riyals per kilogram.

Pilgrims of prospective Hajj have previously shopped for souvenirs around the hotel where they were staying to save and fill time before the peak of the pilgrimage.

The peak of the pilgrimage, namely wukuf in Arafah, will be held on 9 Dzulhijjah or 8 July 2022 and the series starts at Muzdhalifah to Mina until 13 Dzulhijjah.

Previously, the Head of the Hajj Health Center, Budi Sylvana, reminded prospective hajj pilgrims to rest three days before the peak of the hajj to restore conditions to be healthy while in Arafah, Muzdhalifah and Mina.