Three Indonesian teenage brothers, from left, Omar, Hamza and Khalid are getting ready for their first Haj.SALIM MATRAMKOT

By CHRIS V PANGANIBAN

DOHA: Three Indonesian brothers, aged 14-15, who are the youngest among the 250 Haj pilgrims from their community here are eager to spend their 18 days in acts of devotion to their Islam faith.

For Khalid, Omar, Hamzah Syaifullah, becoming part of this year’s batch from their community for the Haj pilgrimage would be a big privilege that with keen attention they followed the simulation to guide them on what to do during the Haj demonstrated yesterday by a staff of Haj Service and Information Organisation at the Qatar Charity Hall.

“My father told me that attending Haj is what you are going to do at least once in a lifetime as a Muslim,” said Khalid, 14, a tenth grader of Qatar International School. “After the Haj, you should be doing better for the good of others,” he added.

Khalid and two other siblings will join the pilgrim with their father Alex who is on his second time, the first time was in 2005 with his wife.

Just like them, many other Indonesians in Qatar will also experience their first Haj pilgrimage even as there is an estimated 200,000 of their countrymen back home and some other parts of world who will join this year.

Arifina Eka Sari, third secretary at the Indonesian Embassy, said the 250 Haj delegation from their community comprises of 60 percent men and 40 percent women. And since the 18-day pilgrim entails a good amount of money for travel and accommodation, about 90 percent are going to Saudi Arabia by bus and only 10 percent are taking the plane ride.

Bidin Ulumudin, one of the community Haj organisers, said attending the Haj is indeed a rare opportunity for their countrymen working in Qatar specially that expenses for those who take the bus ride and cheaper accommodation cost QR9,000 per person while those who can afford taking the plane and better accommodation would double the cost.

Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar Rozy Munir who was present during yesterday’s orientation and farewell ceremony has reminded the Haj participants in their community to be always helpful to their fellow pilgrims who need help. “Haj is a symbol unity so I advise you to keep up solidarity and togetherness during your journey,” Munir said.

Also wishing them well for a fruitful religious journey was prominent Indonesian Muslim scholar Mustofa Bisri, advisor of the board of Nohdlaful Ulama , a major Islamic organisation in Indonesia