First batch of pilgrims leaves on haj

First batch of pilgrims leaves on haj

JAKARTA: The first group of Indonesians taking part in this year's haj pilgrimage departed for Mecca from several points across the country.

A group of pilgrims from West Java left from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport early on Thursday, Antara said.

Other groups departed from Banda Aceh and Medan in Sumatra, Makassar in South Sulawesi and Surakarta in Central Java.

Some 205,000 Indonesians are expected to perform the haj pilgrimage this year.

Close to 90 percent of Indonesia's 214 million people are followers of Islam.

The Indonesian government annually organizes pilgrimage packages for its citizens. --AFP