Rich pilgrims face uncertainty

JAKARTA: Despite the fact that they have paid more money for an extra-service haj pilgrimage, around 3,600 Muslims have not secured their entry to the holy land of Mecca.

Their departure remains uncertain due to the decline in the quota of Indonesian haj pilgrims traveling on the expensive scheme set up by the Saudi Arabian government.

Saudi Arabia will only accept 12,000 Indonesian extra-service pilgrims for the next haj season, a decrease from 23,000 for last season.

A number of Muslim leaders on Tuesday met House Commission VI for haj affairs to demand an increase in the quota.

"This must be taken seriously, otherwise it will disappoint the people," said Didin Hafidhuddin, the principal of the Ulil Albab Islamic boarding school in Bogor, West Java.

Muslims around the world will make the haj pilgrimage in January next year.

Commission chairman Taufiqurrahman Saleh promised to discuss the matter with the minister of religious affairs. -- JP