First Group of Hajj Pilgrims Arrived in Syamsudin Noor Airport on September 9

Banjarbaru – The first group of South Kalimantan Hajj pilgrims embarkation have arrived at Syamsudin Noor Airport on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 1.21 pm. No fewer than 325 pilgrims consist of 145 males and 180 females were landed safely after 9 hours flight from King Abdul Aziz Airport, Jedah, Saudi Arabia by Garuda Indonesia with the aircraft number GA 5201.

The debarkation of 5.510 pilgrims which consist of 3.831 South Kalimantan piligrims, 60 committees, and 1.594 hajj pilgrims from Central Kalimantan is scedhuled until 5th of October 2017 ahead.

General Manager of Syamsudin Noor Airport, Handy Heryuditiawan says “We are very grateful that we have a very supportive team who always ensures the successful of both embarkation and debarkation process. Generally, this year’s hajj service runs smoothly from technical to operational. May God bless all of us.” He said.

A statement by Head of South Kalimantan Provincial Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, H. Noor Fahmi indicated that until September 7, there were at least seven dead pilgrims recorded, five of them from South Kalimantan, the rest two were from Central Kalimantan.

Arriving at Syamsudin Noors Airport, some of pilgrims immediately prostrated gratitude as a form of joy as they had completed the entire pilgrimage in the Holy Land until then returned to the country, especially South Kalimantan province safely.

Hajj pilgrims were welcomed by a group of personnels from Syamsudin Noor Airport as well as the Banjarmasin committee of pilgrimage and was immediately taken to the hajj hostel for baggage and luggage collection before returning home.

Related to Hajj pilgrims from Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Handy Heryudhitiawan explains “The debarkation process will start on 19^th to 26^th of September 2017.” He explained.

He also added that the origin of Hajj pilgrims this year were from Banjarmasin, Banjarbaru, Tanah Laut, Hulu Sungai Tengah, Tanah Bumbu, Tapin, Hulu Sungai Utara, Tabalong, Balangan, Kota Baru, Batu Licin and Central Kalimantan, Palangkaraya. While the committees involved are the Ministry of Religious Affairs, South Kalimantan Transportation, Garuda Indonesia, Angkasa Pura I Syamsudin Noor Airport, Damri, Port Health Office, Harbor Quarantine Office, Customs & Excise, Immigration, Indonesian Air Force, Indonesian National Police, and PT Gapura Angkasa. (BDJ Communication)