Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Three haj candidates of the first flight group (keloter) who were supposed to depart on Tuesday (July 9) from the Banjarmasin Embarkation were forced to postpone, because of illness which was not possible for them to be flown to Saudi Arabia.
Originally, 317 people from the first flight group from Banjarmasin and South Hulu Sungai (HSS), accompanied by five haj officers and three health workers, to became 325 people.
"However, because three ill candidates were not allowed to be dispatched, they were postponed or transferred to the next group," said Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs H Noor Fahmi after seeing off the haj prospectives pilgrim departure with South Kalimantan Governor H Sahbirin Noor.
Meanwhile, one more candidate died before the scheduled departure. He died in the homeland, before entering the hajj hostel.
"So the total of the first flight group departed today were 313 people, accompanied by five hajj officers and three health workers, bringing the total to 321 people," he said.
Related news: Today 255 HSS prospective hajs to be flown to Madinah
Related news: Two HST's haj prospective died
Noor Fahmi said, the first flight group departed using the Air Bus 330 Series 200 Garuda Indonesia flight number GIA 8201 from Syamsuddin Noor Airport to Medina Airport in Saudi Arabia at 12:20.
Meanwhile, Governor Sahbirin Noor who released the first haj propspectives pilgrim advised the pilgrims to maintain good health, obey the rules and always focus on worshiping in Makkah and Madinah.
"May you safe and sound to the destination, pray for our citizens to be a prosperous society. Hopefully you will become mabrur hajj and return to South Kalimantan safely," said Uncle Birin, governor's nickname.
