Indonesia Begins First Hajj Pilgrim Repatriation Phase

RRI.CO.ID, Jeddah - Indonesia officially began the repatriation of its Hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia on Sunday, May 31, 2026. The departure ceremony was held at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, attended the send-off of the first returning group. He met pilgrims from the SUB-01 cluster before their departure to Indonesia.

The minister greeted, spoke with, and shook hands with several pilgrims awaiting departure. He also conveyed prayers and hopes for their safe journey home.

After completing the Hajj pilgrimage, the pilgrims prepared to return following a 40-day journey. The following is the minister’s message delivered directly to them.

“After a 40-day journey with various dynamics, Alhamdulillah tonight all of you are ready to return to the homeland. We from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Republic of Indonesia convey our prayers and hopes that all of you will have a safe journey until you arrive in Indonesia,” he said.

The minister also prayed that Indonesian pilgrims would attain a mabrur Hajj upon returning home. He acknowledged that some services during the pilgrimage may not have fully met expectations.

Speaking on behalf of the ministry, he apologized for any shortcomings during the service process. He said the ministry had worked to provide the best possible assistance.

“At the request of the entire family of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, we apologize if there were still obstacles and shortcomings in the service process. We have tried to provide the best. There may have been services that were delayed, mattresses that were not comfortable enough, or tents that felt crowded. All of that is part of the shortcomings for which we sincerely apologize,” he added.

The minister also symbolically presented scarves to departing pilgrim representatives before boarding. The first departure marks the beginning of Indonesia’s Hajj repatriation phase from Saudi Arabia.