RI haj pilgrims lack knowledge

JAKARTA: Many Indonesian haj pilgrims have violated Islamic rules of behavior during their pilgrimage because of their lack of knowledge, the Haj Media Center (MCH) at the Ministry of Religious Affairs said on Saturday.

Unacceptable behaviors include taking a bath at the haj terminal of King Abdul Azis airport and showing aurat, or forbidden parts of the body, while showering at wudhu purification areas, even though the airport has bathrooms.

Some Indonesians were also seen in their underwear, wearing shorts or wearing only a towel in public areas.

According to the center, a number of female Indonesian pilgrims and even their guides were also seen violating the code of conduct.

As of Saturday, over 120,000 Indonesians had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage. -- Antara