TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Two largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, urged President Joko Widodo to demand explanation to the government of Saudi Arabia related to the Mina tragedy that claimed lives of Indonesian pilgrims.
According to the Chairman of the Board of Nahdlatul Ulama Said Aqil Siradj, the demand needs to be written in a letter of protest. “We should not bow our heads or kiss hands, we will get trampled," he said Monday, September 28.
On Tuesday, the number of pilgrims died and identified in the Mina tragedy have reached 46 people. Missing pilgrims had increased, from previously 82 to 90 people.
Siradj said Jokowi should be model after former President Suharto, in addressing the Mina tunnel tragedy in 1990, that killed 1,426 pilgrims - 649 of them from Indonesia.
At that time, Suharto did not hesitate to send a protest note to King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz. "In the past, after the Mina tunnel tragedy, Pak Harto protested hard. It was heard by the kingdom," said Siradj.
He said it is difficult for the Indonesian government to expect Saudi officials to be open and give open access in the search for missing pilgrims. "The government of Saudi Arabia is a kingdom, so they will always be closed," he added.
Muhammadiyah insistence was voiced by Abdul Mukti, one of the Central Executive Chairman. According to Mukti, the Saudi government must be able to explain the cause of the incident. “That is a must. If it is the will of God, then they should be able to explain why it could happen," he said. "Not because it is destiny, then everything is closed."
Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said earlier search for survivors was hindered by Saudi government policy. Hajj officers had difficulty obtaining information in hospitals and morgues."
MAHARDIKA SATRIA HADI | ANANDA TERESIA
