First Indonesian umrah pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia since pandemic

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The first umrah (the minor hajj) pilgrims from Indonesia arrived in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday (Jan. 8), since the Kingdom Government suspended the departure of pilgrims from the Southeast Asian country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 414 umrah pilgrims from the cities of Jakarta, Batam (Riau Islands province), Karawang (West Java province), as well as Balikpapan and Samarinda (East Kalimantan province) were welcomed by Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Abdul Aziz Ahmad and Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Eko Hartono.

On that occasion, the Indonesian ambassador reminded that the pilgrims maintain health, adhere the pandemic protocols from the Saudi government until they return home safely.

After arriving in the Holy Land, all pilgrims should undergo a five-day quarantine in the accommodation provided, and have several PCR tests before being allowed to performs umrah rituals in Makkah.

Reporting by Indonesia Window