First phase of haj operation ends
JAKARTA (JP): The first phase of this year's haj operation was completed when the last plane carrying Indonesian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia left Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma airport last night.
Armed Forces Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung, who is amirul haj or leader of the haj delegation this year, was among the passengers on the 193th flight departing from Jakarta yesterday.
The other four embarkation points -- Ujungpandang in South Sulawesi, Balikpapan, Surabaya and Medan -- completed their haj- embarkation operations on Friday.
Other dignitaries also on the pilgrimage this year are State Minister of Agrarian Affairs Soni Harsono, State Minister of Food Ibrahim Hasan, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas, Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, and Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita.
The group of people who saw off the distinguished pilgrims yesterday was no less illustrious. It included Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief of General Affairs Let. Gen. Soeyono, ABRI Chief of Social and Political Affairs Let. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, and commander of the Army Special Force Brig. Gen. Prabowo Subianto.
Saudi Arabian Ambassador Abdullah Abdurrahman Alim was also on hand yesterday.
Moerdiono delivered President Soeharto's farewell message to the departing pilgrims. In it Soeharto said he wished the pilgrims would return as haji mabrur or successful hajs; pilgrims who are spiritually fulfilled by the rituals.
Altogether, the government has sent 458 flights and around 193,000 Indonesians to Riyadh since the haj operation was launched on March 23. The number of flights includes seven extra flights arranged to accommodate thousands of people whose departure was delayed due to documentation problems early on.
The government, through the flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, has prepared 23 wide-bodied jets for the operation.
The next phase will be to bring them home once the haj pilgrimage is completed. The first flight back is due on May 2 and the entire operation is expected to last for about one month.
As of Friday, 88 Indonesian pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia this year, most suffering heart attacks.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian consulate in Jeddah reported on Friday that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced that the Day of Arafat, during which some 2.5 million pilgrims perform the rite of wukuf or "standing" on the Plain of Arafat, is on April 27.
Based on certain calculations, the Islamic Sacrifice Day or Idul Adha will be on April 28. The pilgrims and Moslems around the world will celebrate the day by saying prayers in the fields and at mosques and by slaughtering livestock.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs announced that Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to celebrate Idul Adha on the same day. In the past, differences in the calculations have meant Moslems in many countries celebrated Idul Adha on different dates. (01/swe)