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)