Rich pilgrims face uncertainty

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