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Unsuccessful haj pilgrims return home from Philippines
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Safe return — Haj pilgrims from South Sulawesi arrive at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar on Sunday. Of 177 Indonesian pilgrims who were arrested by Philippine authorities over a passport scam on Aug. 19, 168 returned home on Sunday. (thejakartapost.com/Andi Hajramurni)
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gusnadi, a resident of Wajo regency, South Sulawesi, recently expressed gratitude for his safe return to Indonesia, though he admitted he was disappointed about his failure to undertake the haj.
The 38-year-old, who said he realized he must thank God for his safe return, was one of 177 Indonesian pilgrims arrested by Philippine immigration authorities as they attempted last month to go on the haj via Manila. Of the total, 168 people were returned home by the Indonesian Embassy in Manila on Sunday.
Agusnadi said he applied for the haj via Aulat Amin, a Makassar-based travel agency known for its experience in sending haj pilgrims via the Philippines. He was promised that he would depart for Mecca without a long waiting period.
He believed the offer because several of his friends had undertaken the haj via Manila using Aulat Amin. He therefore agreed to pay Rp 135 million (US$10,231) in fees, far more than usual.
“I knew that I would depart for Mecca from the Philippines, but I didn’t know that it was illegal.”
Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Johny Lumintang said the 177 haj pilgrims were detained in poor conditions at a Philippine immigration detention facility before being moved to the embassy compound.
He said such illegal departures must not happen again in the future. “This must be the last incident. We pity them all. They just wanted to carry out religious service but unfortunately, they were arrested and detained,” said Johny. (ebf)
