Rise in haj pilgrims from North Maluku

TERNATE, North Maluku: The number of haj pilgrims from the riot-wracked province increased by 50 percent this year, Governor Surasmin said on Monday.

In a speech read by provincial secretary Thayib Armayn, Surasmin expressed surprise the year-long sectarian clashes that have rocked the territory did not discourage Muslims here from making the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The local religious affairs office recorded a total of 558 haj pilgrims, who were officially seen off by Thayib on Monday.

Surasmin described the increase in the number of pilgrims as "unforgettable and deserving of note".

The pilgrims will fly to Saudi Arabia from Hasanuddin Airport in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar on Saturday, Antara news agency reported. (amd)