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