Malang, en.SERU.co.id — Sad news has emerged from this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, as two pilgrims from Malang passed away while performing the rites in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Elis Mufida, Acting Head of the Malang City Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, confirmed the deaths, stating that both pilgrims died due to illness.
“There are two pilgrims from Malang City who passed away in Mecca. They died because of sickness,” Elis said on Thursday (28/5/2026).
The first pilgrim was Fajar Puja Sasmita, a resident of Kedungkandang District in Malang City. He died on May 7, 2026, while in the Holy Land.
The second was Fatkhurohman bin Muhammad Marjuki bin Sastro, from Pakis District in Malang Regency. He passed away on May 22, 2026.
Both pilgrims belonged to the same flight group (Kloter 11) and had received medical treatment at King Abdul Aziz Hospital in Mecca before their deaths.
Elis expressed her condolences over the losses but noted that detailed information on the circumstances of their deaths could not be released locally.
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“We apologize, but we cannot provide the exact chronology of their passing because the situation is in Mecca. The group leader and on-duty medical personnel there would be the ones who can explain it,” she said.
Following Saudi Arabian regulations, both pilgrims were prayed over and buried in Mecca on the same day they died.
Despite the tragic incidents, Elis assured that the majority of Malang’s pilgrims still in Saudi Arabia are in good health. According to the Malang Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH), the overall pilgrimage has run smoothly so far.
“Alhamdulillah, the wukuf at Arafah went well and without major issues. The service from the Saudi syarikah and PPIH has also been good,” she added.
Daytime temperatures in Mecca have reached as high as 43 degrees Celsius, but Elis said this has not caused significant problems for the Malang contingent. The implementation of the murur scheme — passing through Muzdalifah by bus without overnight stay — has also helped, especially for elderly pilgrims and those in high-risk groups. (bas/ono)
