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)