DEPOK – The repatriation cycle for Hajj pilgrims from Depok City in the first wave has officially been completed. A total of 444 pilgrims, part of the first flight group from this municipality, arrived safely at the Depok City Hall complex on Wednesday morning, after completing all their religious rites in the holy land of Mecca and undertaking a transnational journey to Indonesia.

Overall, the group’s return mobilization process went smoothly thanks to strict operational time management by the organizing committee.

Flight Timeline: Jeddah – Cengkareng Route

The group leader outlined the travel timeline for the return of the group, formally identified as Kloter 2 JKS for Depok City. Logistics and pilgrim movement began early in the morning local time to mitigate the risk of flight delays.

Here is the draft chronology from pickup to arrival at the home region:

  • Pre-departure Phase (June 2 – 2:00 AM Saudi Time): Sterilization and mobilization of pilgrims from their accommodation hotels in Mecca to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

  • Take-off Phase: The transport aircraft departed from Jeddah in the afternoon local time without any significant technical issues.

  • Landing Phase (June 3 – 1:44 AM WIB): The aircraft officially landed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Medical Screening and Zamzam Logistics Procedure at Embarkation

After landing in the home country, the hundreds of pilgrims were not immediately sent to Depok. Instead, they were required to go through a standardized quarantine procedure at the embarkation dormitory first. This preventive step was taken to monitor the health stability of the pilgrims after the long-haul flight.

“Right at the time of the dawn call to prayer, the group took the opportunity to perform the dawn prayer in congregation. After that, all pilgrims were required to undergo strict health screening by the medical team and to collect their Zamzam water logistics before being allowed to continue their overland journey to Depok City Hall,” explained the group leader on Wednesday.

One Pilgrim Held in ICU:

Behind the smooth mass return, the committee confirmed that one pilgrim named Muhammad Irsal had to have his repatriation process delayed. He reportedly suffered from an acute health issue and is currently receiving intensive medical care in the ICU of a Saudi national hospital.

Concluding his statement, the group leader emphasized that aside from that one emergency medical case, the general health indicators of the 444 pilgrims returning to Depok City were in a controlled, fit, and healthy status.

Mecca

Mecca, located in modern-day Saudi Arabia, is the holiest city in Islam and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. It is home to the Masjid al-Haram, which contains the Kaaba, the sacred structure toward which Muslims worldwide pray. Historically, Mecca was a key trading hub on the Arabian Peninsula before becoming the spiritual center of Islam, where millions of pilgrims perform the Hajj each year.

King Abdulaziz International Airport

King Abdulaziz International Airport, located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was inaugurated in 1981 and is named after the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. It serves as a major gateway for millions of pilgrims traveling to Mecca for Hajj and Umrah, featuring a distinctive Hajj Terminal designed to handle large crowds. The airport has undergone significant expansions over the years to accommodate growing passenger traffic and improve facilities.

Jeddah

Jeddah is a major port city on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, historically known as the gateway for Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca. Its history dates back to pre-Islamic times, but it gained prominence in the 7th century under Caliph Uthman, who established it as the principal harbor for the holy city. Today, Jeddah is a vibrant commercial hub, renowned for its UNESCO-listed historic district, Al-Balad, with its distinctive coral-stone buildings.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is Indonesia’s main international gateway, located in Tangerang, Banten, near Jakarta. Named after the country’s first president, Sukarno, and its first vice president, Mohammad Hatta, the airport opened in 1985 to replace the outdated Kemayoran and Halim Perdanakusuma airports. It has since expanded into one of the busiest airports in Southeast Asia, serving as a major hub for domestic and international travel.

Cengkareng

Cengkareng is a district in West Jakarta, Indonesia, best known as the location of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which opened in 1985 and serves as the country’s main gateway. Historically, the area was a swampy, rural region with a small fishing community, but it transformed into a bustling urban center due to airport development and rapid urbanization. Today, Cengkareng is a densely populated area with residential neighborhoods, shopping centers, and industrial zones, reflecting Jakarta’s expansion.

Depok City Hall

Depok City Hall is the administrative center of Depok, a city in West Java, Indonesia. Originally built in the 1990s following Depok’s establishment as an autonomous city in 1999, the building serves as the mayor’s office and houses various municipal departments. The hall symbolizes the city’s rapid growth from a small settlement into a modern urban center.

Zamzam

Zamzam is a historic well located within the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, believed to have miraculously sprung forth for Hagar and her son Ishmael according to Islamic tradition. It has been a vital source of water for pilgrims for thousands of years, and today, millions of Muslims drink from it during the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, often taking bottled Zamzam water home as a blessed souvenir. The well is managed by the Saudi government, which oversees its purity and distribution.