'Don't sell land for haj pilgrimage'

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The head of the Ministry of Religious Affairs' provincial office, H.M. Tubat, has asked residents not to sell their land to pay for haj pilgrimages.

"Most people, especially in the rural areas, when they want to go on the haj, get the money by selling their land and not through money from agricultural produce," he said.

"What will they work on once they've returned?" he asked.

Moslems in the province have become more wealthy and shown an increased desire to go on the pilgrimage which costs Rp 8.8 million (US$2,980). The 4,554 provincial quota for this year's pilgrimage was filled in two-days. (mds)