Would-be pilgrims protest departure cancellations

Andi Hajramurni and ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Makassar/Surabaya

More prospective pilgrims lodged protests in several parts of Indonesia against the government over the cancellation of their departures to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the haj pilgrimage next year.

They demanded that the government strive hard to ensure that they could perform the Islamic pilgrimage in 2004.

In Makassar, dozens of prospective pilgrims staged a demonstration at the South Sulawesi religious affairs office, saying they could not accept the decision as they had met all requirements needed to leave for the Islamic holy land.

Protester Ruslina Rauf said she was extremely disappointed at the cancellation as she had been informed of her departure and had prepared everything to perform the pilgrimage since the Ramadhan fasting month.

"I was certain that I'd go on the haj pilgrimage because I've met all the necessary requirements. I also received my batch number, 54. But suddenly, it was announced that my departure was canceled," she said.

Similar disappointment was expressed by others, who also found their planned pilgrimage had been postponed until the next haj season.

"The government must take responsibility for this. Although the money we paid to cover pilgrimage costs was not deducted, we remain at a loss morally and mentally because of the loss of face and disappointment," another protester said.

Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agiel Al-Munawwar announced on Tuesday that almost 30,000 Indonesians would have to delay until 2005 their trip to Mecca after the Saudi Arabian government canceled the additional quota for Indonesian haj pilgrims for 2004.

The Saudi government policy also applied to the other 17 member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, he added.

A total 630 Muslims in Makassar were affected by the announcement. They were among 4,078 prospective pilgrims in South Sulawesi, whose departures were canceled. Only 22,087 people from the province would go to Mecca as planned.

To prevent possible violence from erupting during the protest, dozens of police officers were deployed to guard the South Sulawesi religious affairs office.

Abdul Wahid, haj affairs section head at the local religious affairs office, said he could understand the disappointment voiced by prospective pilgrims.

However, he admitted he could do nothing to help them.

In the West Java regency of Indramayu, at least 117 prospective pilgrims went to the local religious affairs office to protest the cancellation of their departures, Antara reported.

"Of course we are disappointed, but we cannot do anything. The important thing is that we have an intention to go on the pilgrimage and I hope I can go to Mecca in 2005," Satori, 57, who was among those who had to delay their departures, was quoted as saying.

In Surabaya, 1,028 Muslims, including East Java Governor Imam Utomo, also had to cancel their pilgrimage next year.

Muhammad Nawami, haj affairs section head at the Surabaya religious affairs office, said that only 4,456 prospective pilgrims would go to Mecca.

"Those who registered for the pilgrimage before July 24 will depart, and those after that date will have to delay their departures," he said.

The haj pilgrimage is obligatory for Muslims once in their lives; many Indonesians have to sell belongings to pay the haj fee.

The first batch of Indonesian haj pilgrims is scheduled to leave for Mecca on Dec. 30 from Jakarta. The pilgrimage peaks on the Islamic Day of Sacrifice, which in 2004 will fall on Feb. 1.