MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – The Photo Director of INDATANEWS.COM, Muhammad Said Harahap, and his wife Tantri Suwito have finally departed for the Holy Pilgrimage of Hajj after a 13-year waiting period in Indonesia's regular Hajj quota.
The couple is part of Hajj Group (Kloter) 17 of the
Medan Embarkation and left as scheduled early Monday morning, May 11, 2026, heading to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Long-Awaited Journey to the Holy Land
Read Also: Deli Serdang Sends Off 360 Hajj Pilgrims of Group 15 Before departure,
Muhammad Said Harahap asked for prayers from his extended family at
INDATANEWS.COM, hoping for a smooth and blessed pilgrimage.
"O Allah, grant us health, strength, and protection throughout our Hajj journey. Ease our steps, accept our worship, and allow us to return home safely and purified from sins," he said emotionally.
PRAYERS FOR AN ACCEPTED PILGRIMAGE:
Muhammad Said Harahap asks for prayers for health, safety, and an accepted pilgrimage, while also hoping more Muslims will be given the opportunity to visit the holy sites. (PHOTO: Doc.
Muhammad Said Harahap)
Read Also: Aceh Converts VVIP Terminal at SIM Airport for Hajj 2026 Service Boost 13 Years of Saving for a Lifelong DreamA photography lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), Muhammad Said revealed that he and his wife had been consistently saving from their income since 2013 to register for the regular Hajj program.
"Alhamdulillah, the income from my photography work has been carefully saved for 13 years," said the father of three on Sunday morning (May 10, 2026) at the Medan Hajj transit dormitory.
Known as an experienced photojournalist, he previously worked for Analisa Medan daily and has also been active in academic circles at UMSU for the past 12 years.
Read Also: 147 Hajj Pilgrims from South Labuhanbatu Bid Emotional Farewell to Mecca SAVINGS FROM PHOTOGRAPHY CAREER:
Muhammad Said Harahap explains that the Hajj journey was funded through savings from his photography income accumulated since 2013. (PHOTO: Doc.
Muhammad Said Harahap)
Prayers for an Accepted PilgrimageShortly before departure, Muhammad Said also expressed hope that others would one day receive the same opportunity to visit the holy land as guests of Allah.
Read Also: 107 Medan Pilgrims Set to Depart for Hajj in Three Groups "There is no power and strength except by the will of Allah. We travel with prayers and hope to return with blessings for everyone," he said.
He further asked for prayers so that he and his wife can complete all Hajj rituals properly and achieve the status of an accepted pilgrimage (Hajj mabrur and mabrurah).
"Please pray for us to be granted a mabrur Hajj," he added.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Editorial Team | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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