On the first day of the arrival of the additional quota group in Medina on Thursday (6/15), there was only one group that arrived, namely group 21 Embarkation Balikpapan (BPN-21).
The group carried 275 pilgrims plus two group officers. They were lodged at the Taibah Front Hotel located only about 50 meters from the courtyard of the Prophet’s Mosque.
Secretary of the Madinah Working Area (Daker) of PPIH Saudi Arabia Abdillah said as many as 75 officers were alerted to serve pilgrims from additional quota groups transiting in Madinah.
PPIH must extend the service operation which was originally scheduled to be completed on June 16, 2023.
“We prepare officers to serve consumers from Daker Madinah, then transportation, worship guidance as well as security and protection of pilgrims, including officers for elderly services and services at Bir Ali,” he said.
Abdillah admitted, the Saudi Arabian policy which was quite suddenly informed made the BPN-21 pilgrims already wear ihram cloth from embarkation. This is according to the officer’s appeal.
This does not interfere with the procession of worship in ihram because they have not recited the intention and they will only intend to enter ihram at the Bir Ali Mosque.
So far, there are 20 or so additional quota pilgrimage groups scheduled to arrive for transit in Medina. The groups carrying a total of 6,848 pilgrims and officers arrived gradually until June 23.
They were transited to Madinah because the flight traffic for arrivals at King Abdul Aziz Airport, Jeddah, was too heavy.
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