Garuda Departs 453 Haj Pilgrims to Mecca

The government and all officers are committed to provide the best service to all Indonesian pilgrims

National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has departed 453 haj pilgrims from first embarkation through the Halim Indonesia Port, East Jakarta, Monday (9/1) at around 7.15 AM. Its departure was witnessed by Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim and Jakarta City Secretary Saefullah.

The batch is made of 5,668 haj pilgrims from Jakarta embarkation, hailing from 13 flight groups and will be departed gradually.

No Special Facilities for Jakarta Hajj Pilgrims This Year

Religious Affairs Minister, Lukman Hakim disclosed those 453 pilgrims were departed along with 5 officers, comprising one flight group officer, one officer of Haj Management Committee (PPIH), one doctor, and two medical officers.

"The government and all officers are committed to provide the best service to all Indonesian pilgrims. Therefore, it's hoped all could run well during the implementation of the pilgrimage this year," hoped Hakim when releasing pilgrims from Jakarta, in the Pondok Gede Hajj Boarding's Multipurpose Building III, East Jakarta.

According to him, preparation for the pilgrimage from time to time has been done intensively and mature, including pilgrims from Indonesia who came from non-flight group, where they are currently located in Medina and Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Officers from Indonesia are also ready to carry out their duties.

Jakarta City Secretary, Saefullah added that all pilgrims from Jakarta should be able to maintain health. Moreover, this year, the city administration is no longer provide additional facilities such as catering and transportation in Mecca, as in previous years. As for the officers who will be Amirul haj or haj leader are Assistant Secretary of Public Welfare, Bambang Sugiyono and Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs and Administration, Hasan Basri Saleh.

"The amount of quota pilgrims from Jakarta this year is 5,668 people, hailing from 13 flight groups. We hope they could become a haj mabrur and always healthy, either when leaving or going home," expected Saefullah.

Staff of Public Relation for Pondok Gede Haj Boarding, Sugito revealed the 453 pilgrims were departed from the Halim Perdanakusuma Port around 7.15 AM. 

"As planned, pilgrims would land in Medina and get lodgings in Jarwal, Mahbas Jin which is located on the east side of the Haram," he told.

He added that the amount of flight group from Jakarta embarkation is 24 flight groups. 13 out of them are from Jakarta and 11 others from Lampung.