The Last Batch Of Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims Are Lucky To Touch Kaaba After 2.5 Years Of Being Closed

Muslims are scrambling to touch the Kaaba after 2.5 years of barriers due to the pandemic being opened on Tuesday, August 2. (ANTARA-Desi Purnamawati)

JAKARTA - The flight group (kloter) 43 Solo Embarkation (SOC 43) became the last batch of Indonesian pilgrims leaving Mecca for Medina.

They feel lucky because they can see and touch the Kaaba directly after 2.5 years of the barrier that surrounds it is closed.

"It feels like getting a door prize, because the barrier of the Kaaba is opened and you can touch the Kaaba," said Retno, one of the pilgrims at SOC 43 in Makkah, Thursday, August 4, Saudi Arabian Time (AST).

He claimed to be very happy, and grateful that even though it was the last time he left Mecca, and certainly the last time he left Medina, he was able to touch the Kaaba directly.

"Yesterday, during the last Umrah, we didn't know that initially the Kaaba barrier was opened, suddenly a lot of people joined me too, Alhamdulillah, I was able to touch the Yamani Pillar, even though I couldn't touch the Black Stone," he said, according to Antara.

Likewise, Almas, a congregant from SOC 43, besides being able to enjoy Umrah more because there is no need to be crowded, he is also happy because he no longer has to queue for clotheslines with other fellow pilgrims.

"The good thing is that you don't have to queue, usually for washing and drying you have to queue because of the large number of pilgrims," said Almas, who replaced his father for Hajj.

Previously, the barrier that surrounded the Kaaba for 2.5 years had been reopened on Thursday, August 2, at 22:50 AST.

Hajj and Umrah pilgrims are able to kiss and touch the Kaaba again after the barrier is opened.