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)