PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. GARUT - A group of 31 Hajj pilgrims from Garut Regency arrived at the Pendopo area of Garut Regency. A total of 8 buses transported the pilgrims, consisting of 7 buses for the congregation and 1 reserve bus, while the other 4 buses went straight to Limbangan District, Sunday (7/7/2024) at 23.30 WIB.

The repatriation of the 31st group began with the arrival of a container truck carrying the Hajj pilgrims' suitcases, arriving at the Pendopo at around 22.55 WIB.

A total of 438 people, consisting of 430 Hajj pilgrims and 8 officers, returned home safely and were greeted with emotion by their families waiting in the Pendopo area. One by one the Hajj pilgrims were dismissed by the officers and got off the bus with expressions of emotion and happiness because they could be reunited with their families in their hometowns.

Head of the Hajj and Umrah Organizing Section (Kasi) at the Garut Regency Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) Office, Indra Azwar Mawardi, explained that initially the 31st group numbered 440 people, consisting of 432 Hajj pilgrims and 8 officers. However, 2 Hajj pilgrims from Garut Regency died, namely Hj. Idjah bint Toha and H. Somar bin Salim, bringing the total number of returning Hajj pilgrims home to 438 people.

Indra revealed that the 31st group of Hajj pilgrims landed at Soekarno Hatta Airport (Soetta) at around 14.30 WIB, and arrived at the Bekasi Embarkation at around 16.00 WIB. After resting in Karawang until 18.00 WIB, they continued their journey and arrived in Garut Regency at around 23.30 WIB.

"Thank God everything went smoothly from the PPIH Embarkation trip and Thank God the Regional Secretary received it, Thank God (the Regional Secretary) came to the Embarkation (and) was received directly by the Regional Secretary," he said.

He appealed to people who pick up Hajj pilgrims not to rush and not be selfish, especially in collecting the pilgrims' suitcases. Indra believes that all the hajj pilgrims' suitcases are safe, because when they arrive in Indonesia, the suitcases are immediately delivered by the expedition to the Garut Pendopo Building.

"For the next group, our hope from the Ministry of Religion is that it will run smoothly and successfully without excesses," he said.