“The total number of pilgrims who have departed for Saudi Arabia is 32,732 people,” spokesperson for the ministry's Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH), Akhmad Fauzin, said while delivering a press statement here on Thursday.
He informed that of the 32,732 people, 8,700 have performed the Arbain prayer at the Prophet’s Mosque, Medina, and left for Mecca.
According to him, the first phase of the departure of Hajj pilgrims to Medina will continue until June 18, 2022.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, 3,249 pilgrims were scheduled to depart in eight batches from seven embarkation points.
The seven embarkation points were: Banjarmasin (360 pilgrims), Batam (450), Aceh (393), Jakarta-Pondok Gede (393), Medan (393), Solo (360), and Surabaya (900), Fauzin informed.
Sixty-eight Indonesian Hajj pilgrims have, so far, reported sick, he said. Of the 68 pilgrims, 60 had to receive outpatient care, seven were treated at the Indonesian Hajj Health Clinic (KKHI), and one was treated at Al Noer Hospital, Mecca.
Five Indonesian Hajj pilgrims have died so far, he added.
This year, Saudi Arabia has allowed one million pilgrims from various countries to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. Indonesia has been allotted a quota of 100,051 for the pilgrimage.
Although it has given permission for foreign pilgrims to perform Hajj, Saudi Arabia has laid down two conditions for them this year. First, pilgrims must not be older than 65 years and must have received the full dose of any COVID-19 vaccine approved by the Saudi Health Ministry.
Second, pilgrims traveling from abroad must carry a certificate showing a negative PCR result, with the test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.
Related news: Some 25,929 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims have departed: Ministry
Related news: Indonesian Hajj pilgrims to receive three meals daily: Ministry
Related news: Consul General advises Hajj pilgrims to observe Saudi regulations
Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
