Indonesian pilgrims caught with Philippine passports

By Ainur Rohmah

TUABN, Indonesia (AA) – Indonesia is investigating reports that 177 of its citizens were caught with Philippine passports at a Manila airport before boarding a flight to Saudi Arabia ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir told Anadolu Agency on Saturday that Philippine authorities intercepted Friday a group of Indonesians who had arrived in the country using Indonesian passports, but switched to Philippine passports before the flight to Saudi Arabia.

"We are checking [the information]," said Nasir, adding that a team from the Indonesian embassy in Manila had arrived at the facility where they are being held.

"If it becomes necessary to take legal action, we will provide legal assistance."

As the recipient of the largest Hajj quota, Indonesia -- the world’s most populous Muslim country, which has a population of around 256 million -- sends around 200,000 pilgrims to Mecca and Medina every year for the largest annual gathering of people in the world.

Each pilgrim must pay a deposit of around $2,500 and there are currently more than 2 million Indonesians on the waiting list -- prompting some citizens to seek alternatives to registering for the Muslim pilgrimage from the archipelago.

Residents of the province of South Sulawesi experience the longest queue of up to 32 years, and in June 2105, police arrested a syndicate that allegedly provided fake Philippine passports for 80 million rupiah ($6,080).

The director-general of Hajj and Umrah for the Religious Affairs told Anadolu Agency on Saturday that despite the long wait periods, it was not justifiable for Indonesians to seek to embark on pilgrimage through other countries.

"Hajj is worship. No need for scheming. There should not be a lie," said Abdul Jamil.