Pilgrims told to stay away from politics

Pilgrims told to stay away from politics

JAKARTA (JP): The government sent off its first load of haj
pilgrims of the year with the usual reminder to protect good
relations with the home of Mecca by avoiding participation in the
fundamentalist political demonstrations that occur there.

"This is a holy pilgrimage so stay away from politics,"
Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said yesterday as he
bade farewell to the Indonesian pilgrims.

The same message has been hammered home each year amidst
concern that Indonesian pilgrims may be tempted to join
demonstrations organized by other pilgrims, notably from Iran.

"We have to respect the Saudi government who has done its
utmost to serve the needs of the pilgrims," Tarmizi said in the
sending-off ceremony at the Halim Perdanakusuma airport.

"You have to concentrate in the obligation because your
intention is to fulfill the call from Allah," he said.

Altogether, nine wide-bodied jets carrying more than 3,500
people left from Jakarta, Medan and Ujungpandang yesterday as the
government began a massive pilgrimage that will involve more than
157,000 in the next four weeks.

Attending the ceremony yesterday were Minister of Health
Sujudi, Jakarta Governor Suryadi Soedirdja, Hasan Basri of the
Ulema Council, and a representative of the Saudi Arabian embassy.

Sujudi said the government this year has significantly
improved the health services provided for the pilgrims by flying
in some 40 tons of medicine.

The Saudi government has also agreed to allow Indonesian
medical personnel to accompany pilgrims in hospitals to overcome
language difficulties. (01)