Politician launches haj book

JAKARTA: Golkar legislator Baharuddin Aritonang launched his book titled Orang Batak Naik Haji (A Batak goes on the haj pilgrimage) at a modest ceremony here on Monday.

The 216-page book recounts Aritonang's religious experience during his pilgrimage to Mecca and Medinah in February of this year.

Speaking at a discussion at the book launch, Aritonang said the book encouraged readers to discuss various issues ranging from the national economy to sectarian conflicts.

Aritonang acknowledged that his book was inspired by Danarto's earlier novel Orang Jawa Naik Haji (A Javanese goes on the haj pilgrimage).

Muslim scholar Komaruddin Hidayat, who wrote the book's introduction, hoped that the book would inspire other politicians who have gone to Mecca to behave better.

Aritonang, who graduated from the Department of Pharmacology at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, is preparing to write a book on medicine. --JP