Haj transport takes of to a flying start

JAKARTA (JP): The first batch of 8,000 haj pilgrims left for Mecca from six embarkation ports across the country yesterday to begin a month-long compulsory journey for well-to-do Moslems.

About 197,600 Indonesians will go on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia this year.

The six embarkation ports are Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya, Ujungpandang, Surakarta and Balikpapan. The pilgrims from Medan are expected to reach Jeddah's King Abdul Aziz airport first.

The yearly massive pilgrimage is largely organized by the government, which arranges the transport, accommodation, health care and logistics.

At Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusumah airport, a 747 Boeing carrying the first batch of 480 pilgrims took off at 7.55 a.m., just five minutes ahead of schedule.

Bidding the pilgrims farewell were Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto, Garuda Indonesian Airways Director Supandi, and Director General of Islamic Development and Haj Affairs Ahmad Gozali.

Flights from the five embarkation ports left right on schedule and were well-organized, reported the haj center of command in the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

"Everything was fine and well organized. Pilgrims' luggage was loaded last night. We hope departures will continue to be orderly until the very last batch," Haryanto said.

To ensure every traveler was satisfied with the flight service details were cross-checked.

The pilgrims meals are provided by Garuda Indonesia Airways and the menu is Indonesian.

Meanwhile, Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher saw off the first pilgrims from Surabaya, East Java.

Tarmizi has been appointed this year's pilgrimage leader. A pilgrimage leader is supposed to visit the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia but no date has been set for the minister's departure.

"Usually a haj leader would be on one of the last flights before the pilgrimage peaks on Idul Adha (Sacrifice Day)," a Ministry of Religious Affairs officer said.

Last year, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung had the honor of leading the 194,000 haj pilgrims.

The government said no ceremonies would be held at embarkation ports so pilgrims can concentrate on their month-long journey.

"Ceremony is unnecessary because it would take too much time to prepare, " Gozali said.

Would-be pilgrims were advised to hold ceremonies with their loved ones at home before they left for the haj dormitory in their respective areas.

The government has tightened rules on visiting pilgrims. Once the pilgrims check-in into the dormitory relatives are not allowed to enter. Well-wishers are not allowed to escort pilgrims to the airport.

Halim Perdanakusuma terminal was a restricted area. Journalists needed special passes to enter.

Haryanto said Garuda chartered 24 planes for this year's pilgrimage. There are MD-11s, DC-10s, Boeing 747s, and Boeing 767s.

The planes were chartered from Tower Air, which leased three B-747s, Cors Air one B-747, Air Canada one B-747, Kuwait Air two B-747s, Singapore Airlines one B-747, Britannia two B-767s, World Airways four MD-11s and two DC-10s, OAM France three DC-10s, Challenge Air one DC-10 and Air Liberty one DC-10. (12)