59 Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims Die in Saudi Arabia

Mecca - Ten more Indonesian hajj pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia, bringing to 58 the total number of deaths since the first flight batch arrived in the Holy Land on September 21. Eight of the ten hajj pilgrims died of circulation system disorders and two died of respiratory system problems, according to data from the integrated computerized hajj information system at the Indonesian Religious Affairs Ministry on Tuesday night. They were aged from 44 to 79 years. By Tuesday night, 164,917 or 83.99 percent of 194,000 Indonesians to perform pilgrimage using the regular hajj service this year already arrived in Saudi Arabia. October 20 is the deadline for the arrival of hajj pilgrims worldwide to the Holy Land this year. Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country has the largest number of hajj pilgrims every year. Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Suryadarma Ali has urged hajj pilgrims to take good care of their health during the pilgrimage. More than 210 Indonesians are expected to perform hajj pilgrimage this year. Muslims who can afford a trip to Saudi Arabia are obligated under Islam to perform hajj pilgrimage at least once during their lifetime. (*)