Non-paying pilgrims

Non-paying pilgrims

From Suara Karya

Several newspapers have run reports on non-paying pilgrims
from a certain government institution. Such people are nicknamed
haji abidin meaning "people who perform a pilgrimage and become a
haj at the expense of the government." Garuda Indonesia also
routinely gives free seats to certain government officials, who
in fact are perfectly capable of paying for the pilgrimage
themselves.

I would like to appeal to the government and the related
authorities to use these funds for the nurture of poor children
in the eastern part of Indonesia. People should realize that
Moslems in parts of eastern Indonesia such as East Nusa Tenggara,
East Timor, Maluku and Irian Jaya need the funds badly for the
education of their children.

The parents in these areas have to send their children to
pondok pesantren (Islamic Boarding Schools) either in Sulawesi,
East Java, Central Java or West Java.

Those who have performed the haj pilgrimage several times and
want to go again could be allowed to do so with some conditions
attached. For example, they should have been foster parents for
some time. Or they should have donated money to certain social
foundations. In other words, such people should be coaxed into
participating in the government's program to eradicate poverty in
this country.

ABDUL KADIR SO

Blitar, East Java