First flights of RI haj pilgrims leave for Jeddah
First flights of RI haj pilgrims leave for Jeddah
JAKARTA (JP): Seven planes, each carrying 480 passengers, left
for Jeddah from Halim Perdanakusumah airport yesterday to mark
the start of the massive operation to send 195,000 Indonesians on
this year's haj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
But as the first plane took off in the morning with the
blessing of Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Tahir and other
government officials, there was still no news about the fate of
the 36,000 people who were put on the waiting list because
Indonesia had exceeded its haj quota allocated by Riyadh.
In his send-off speech Tarmizi appealed for understanding. He
stressed that while the government would do its utmost to send
those wait-listed on the religious ritual, they should also be
prepared for the worst.
"We have to respect Saudi Arabia's policy. It might be
impossible for them to grant a larger quota without running the
risk of accidents caused by an excessive number of people," he
said.
The chief concern of the Saudi government is the safety of all
the pilgrims, he added.
He reminded the audience of the 1991 stampede which left
hundreds of Indonesian pilgrims dead and also of a smaller
incident last year that was caused by too many pilgrims.
Tarmizi, who will also be this year's Amirul Haj (chief of the
Indonesian haj delegation), said he is planning to make another
visit to Riyadh later this week to discuss the possibility of
accommodating all those on the waiting list.
He warned that the chances are slim because no country has
been given an additional quota. He also underlined that the
additional quota Indonesia is seeking is several times higher
than the quota given to smaller countries. Brunei and the United
Arab Emirates, for example, have quotas of less than 5,000.
The Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia, Abdullah Abdurrahim Alim,
provided some indication, however, that his government might be
able to accommodate Indonesia's extra pilgrims.
"Considering the good attitude of Indonesian haj pilgrims,
Abdullah said, "there is a possibility that those on the waiting
list will be able to leave for Saudi Arabia this year."
Abdullah said that Mecca's facilities could only accommodate
up to 2.5 million people.
Director General for Islamic and Haj Affairs Amidhan said that
some 2,000 people already paid and registered for the pilgrimage
would not be able to travel for various reasons, such as
pregnancy, health and immigration difficulties. Their places are
now expected to be given to those on the waiting list.
Tarmizi told those on the first flight out of Jakarta
yesterday that they should concentrate fully on performing the
religious rituals.
"Stay away from political activities that could disrupt the
pilgrimage," he said in a standard message given every year to
Indonesian pilgrims not to take part in political demonstrations
often staged by pilgrims from other countries.
He emphasized the need for pilgrims to stay in top shape
because physical stamina is vital on the pilgrimage. "Don't spend
your pocket money on souvenirs. Buy food to maintain your
health."
In addition to Jakarta, planes carrying Indonesian pilgrims
left from Juanda airport in Surabaya, Polonia in Medan and
Hasanuddin in Ujungpandang yesterday. The Sepinggan airport in
Balikpapan will begin sending out pilgrims as of Tuesday.
Garuda Indonesia, the national carrier appointed to coordinate
the flights, has leased 20 planes and is deploying five from its
own fleet for the haj operation. Altogether, these planes will be
making 452 flights by the time the first phase of the operation
is completed on May 2. The second phase will be to bring them
back after the pilgrimage.
Apart from the 195,000 pilgrims, there will be 2,310
Indonesians making the trip as escorts, counselors, guides and
doctors. (imn/emb)