Anti-Mainstream Hajj Pilgrims, Luggage Tagged with Coconut Shells to Avoid Mix-up

Dream - The large number of Indonesian Muslims performing the Hajj pilgrimage requires pilgrims to think creatively in marking their belongings. Especially since many elderly hajj pilgrims have to use suitcases with the same shape and color.

Usually, hajj pilgrims will provide a marker in the form of a large inscription on each of their suitcases. The inscription is printed using spray paint in bright colors for easy recognition and to avoid mixing up with other pilgrims' suitcases.  

However, this method does not always work because many pilgrims fly together on each flight. Many unique techniques for marking suitcases have been done by pilgrims, such as a pilgrim from Aceh named Zainabon.

The unique marked suitcase was found when the BTJ 08 North Aceh Flying Group arrived at the Amir Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz Madinah Airport on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 10:30 AM.

Zainabon Umar binti Hasan marked each of her suitcases with coconut shells. When asked, the 80-year-old elderly woman just smiled and explained her reasons.

“So that my suitcase is different from other pilgrims' suitcases and easy to recognize," she said.

According to Zainabon, many pilgrims mark their suitcases using fabric. To avoid mix-up, she thought of using coconut shells because the hard part of the fruit is abundant in her village but is not commonly used as a suitcase marker.

Zainabon is known to bring two suitcases, a large one and a small one, both marked with coconut shells. She has prepared the idea and made the suitcase markers with coconut shells for a month.

“Not all of the shells are intact, the ends are cut so that they look neat, so wherever my suitcase is, when it is to be taken, you just need to look at the marker, the shell,” she explained.

Upon arriving in Madinah, she felt grateful and happy because she remained healthy throughout the journey and could still walk without a wheelchair, albeit slowly.

For your information, the Head of the BTJ 08 flying group, Munzir, stated that out of the total of 386 pilgrims including officials, there were 180 elderly people, of whom 19 were advised to use wheelchairs, but only 3 brought one.

He hopes that all of his pilgrims are healthy so that they can perform the Hajj procession.

“Throughout the journey, all of the pilgrims are in good and controlled condition. The hope is that this group will depart and return without any obstacles, and all pilgrims can perform the Hajj rituals,” he concluded.

source: haji.kemenag.go.id