53 people unable to perform haj

53 people unable to perform haj

TANGERANG (JP): Fifty three people planning to perform their
haj pilgrimage to Mecca this year have been informed that they
cannot go even though they had paid Rp 9 million each to
pilgrimage coordinator RA Afandi.

"We don't know why we can't go because we haven't gotten any
information from the coordinator," Enah, one of the would-be
pilgrims, said Monday.

Enah said she and the other 52 were told last week that they
would be unable to depart for their pilgrimage. "I'm ashamed
because I already held a farewell party with my neighbors," she
said.

The last pilgrims departing from Indonesia to Mecca left
yesterday.

H. Darmadi, another haj ticket purchaser, said they were told
to apply for a reimbursement of their pilgrimage costs.

It was also suggested to them to postpone their departure
until next year, although they would be responsible for any
increase in the pilgrimage costs, he said.

"But I strongly reject their offer because our inability to
perform the haj was the coordinator's mistake," he said.

Afandi, who is also a member of the Tangerang City Council,
could not be reached for comment. (41/hhr)