Jakarta (Indonesia Window) - The entire procession of the pilgrimage was  completed on 13 Dzulhijjah 1440 Hijri or 14 August 2019.

After performing worship as the fifth Pillar of Islam, many pilgrims who passed the time waiting for the return to the homeland by visiting Islam’s historic places, such as Taif (64.26 km from Makkah) or traveling to Jeddah to buy souvenirs.

However, a number of Indonesian, Indian, Iranian, Pakistani and Turkish pilgrims chose to remain in the Grand Mosque for four weeks after the pilgrimage was completed, the Saudi Gazette was quoted as reporting by Indonesia Window in Jakarta on Monday.

They were in Makkah until the last moment before leaving for Medina and returning to their respective countries.

Barakat Amin, one of the pilgrims, said that for most pilgrims, being in the Two Holy Mosques and other holy sites is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Why should we waste time. We must devote all our time to pray and pray at the Grand Mosque. We don’t know whether or not we will come back here,” he said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window