RI`s pilgrims urge govt to prioritize accomodations near Haram Mosque

Madinah, NU Online
Indonesian hajj pilgrims have urged the government as the hajj pilgrimage operator to prioritize the procurement of housing acconmodations near the Haram Mosque and Nabawi Mosque for further implementations of the hajj pilgrimage.

"We hope the government gives priority to seeking the hajj housing accommodations near the Haram Mosque and the Nabawi Mosque, then discuss the cost which should be adjusted into the hajj pilgrimage cost," HM Saman, chief of Riau provincial hajj pilgrimage affairs division said here on Sunda<>y.

According to him, it was the requirement of hajj pilgrims from Sumatra Island.

"I ask them (hajj pilgrims) to refrain from staging protest (to the government) over the housing accommodation problem which was the farthest this year from the Haram Mosque," Saman was quoted by Antara as saying.

Earlier, Regional Representatives Council (DPD) deputy chairman Laode Ida said, even the housing accommodation was located some 18-19 km away from the Haram Mosque.

"Our teams in Saudi Arabia and at home found that this year`s hajj services were the worst one, particularly with regard to accommodations and transportation services," Laode Ida said recently.

According to Saman, the hajj pilgrims can afford to pay any rate of the housing accommodations provide that their locations are near the Haram Mosque and Nabawi Mosque.

The country`s hajj pilgrims also asked why other countries` hajj pilgrims like those from India could obtain accommodation near the Haram Mosque. (dar)