Government Dispatches First Flight Group of 1445 H Hajj Pilgrims

Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, early Sunday (05/12), sends off the first flight group of 388 Hajj pilgrims from Jakarta – Pondok Gede Embarkation Point, at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten province. (Photo by: Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Public Relations/Fadhlillah)

Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, early Sunday (12/5/2024), sent off the first flight group of 388 Hajj pilgrims from Jakarta – Pondok Gede Embarkation Point, at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten province. This departure marked the start of Hajj operations in 1445 Hijriah (Islamic lunar year) or 2024 CE.

On their departure, the Minister reminded the Hajj pilgrims to stay focused on performing Hajj in the Holy Land.

“Set your intention correctly. Since your intention to go to the Holy Land is to worship, please don’t set any other intentions than the intention to perform Hajj in the Holy Land,” he said.

Furthermore, the Minister also reminded the Hajj pilgrims to maintain their physical condition and anticipate the weather in Saudi Arabia which is different from Indonesia’s weather.

“The weather in the Holy Land is very hot, so please maintain your physical condition, eat well, drink well, and take vitamins too,” he said.

Moreover, Yaqut also reminded the pilgrims not to hesitate to ask for help from the officers who have been prepared by the Government.

“The Ministry of Religious Affairs together with the Ministry of Health have prepared officers who will and are ready to serve you, Ladies and Gentlemen. Tell the officers whatever you need, don’t hesitate,” he said.

Additionally, the Minister of Religious Affairs also prayed that the pilgrims would be able to perform the Hajj smoothly and become haji mabrur (achieve God’s blessings from their Hajj).

“Once again I remind you to take care of your physical condition and your health. The Hajj is a religious activity that demands physical endurance, so the challenge is certainly not easy. But I am sure that everyone is ready and strong to perform the Hajj in the Holy Land,” he said.

The departure of Hajj pilgrims from Indonesia to the Holy Land is divided into two batches. The first batch will depart in the period of 12-23 May and the second batch will depart in the period of 24 May-10 June. The first batch of Hajj pilgrims will land at Amir Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Airport, Medina, while the second batch will land at King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Jeddah. (Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Public Relations/UN)