Most of the deaths were due to natural causes, such as old age or respiratory ailments.
Mecca (ANTARA News) - Eight more Indonesian pilgrims passed away in Mecca on Monday, two days before the end of the Hajj season, bringing the death toll to 313 people so far.

Most of the deaths were due to natural causes, such as old age or respiratory ailments, according to information of the Hajj Computerization Information System, here, Tuesday.

As of Oct. 3, 90,410 regular-scheme Indonesian pilgrims and 1,120 Hajj officers have returned home aboard 224 flights. Also, 10,001 non-regular Hajj pilgrims have returned to Indonesia, according to Nurul Badruttamam from the Indonesian Hajj Organizing Committee.

The fifth pillar of Islam urges all Muslims to undertake a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, at least once in their lifetime.

It is obligatory for every Muslim, regardless of gender, to make the pilgrimage if they are physically and financially capable of doing so.

Some 155,200 Indonesian Muslims have taken part in the regular Hajj, organized by the Indonesian government in 2016. In addition, several thousand others have performed the Hajj through non-regular schemes, or by traveling with other countries.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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