More than 210,000 Indonesian hajj pilgrims are expected to visit the Holy Land this year.Jeddah (ANTARA News) - A total of 17,051 Indonesian hajj pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia since the first batch arrived at King Abdul Azis airport in Jeddah five days ago, according to a hajj official.
All the hajj pilgrims have departed for Medina, said Nur Alya Fitra, the Secretary of the hajj affairs organizing unit (Daker) of the Indonesian Religious Affairs Ministry`s Jeddah chapter, here on Wednesday.
"As of 9.30 pm on Tuesday, seven out of the 10 planned flight batches have arrived at the airport," he added.
When asked about the reason why some of the flights were delayed, Nur stated that he was "not in a position to answer the question".
"It is the airline companies that have the authority to explain the cause of the delay," he pointed out.
Nur noted that a flight from Solo city, Central Java, which was supposed to arrive in Saudi Arabia at 2.45 pm on Tuesday, had not arrived until 9.30 pm.
"As of Tuesday, 20 Indonesian hajj pilgrims have received medical treatment at the Indonesian hajj medical centre at the airport," he said.
More than 210,000 Indonesian hajj pilgrims are expected to visit the Holy Land this year.
Muslims who can afford a trip to Saudi Arabia are obligated under Islam to perform hajj pilgrimage at least once during their lifetime. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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