As the first of Indonesia’s pilgrims departed for Mecca on Friday, the religious ministry said it would reshuffle some pilgrims among lodgings if necessary to meet a new Hajj housing regulation.

The rule requires all buildings at least four stories tall and housing more than 250 people to provide emergency exit stairs. Abdul Ghafur Djawahir, director for Hajj administration, said Saudi Arabia had agreed to ease the impact of the regulation “by letting us house fewer than 250 pilgrims in each lodging.”

“We can take two or three people from each lodging,” he said. “We have spare buildings for 1,900, so we should have no problem.”

Indonesian officials said the regulation was issued only last week, after the country’s lease contracts had been finalized with the building owners. They said other countries, including India and Egypt, are also scrambling to cope with the new requirement.

“I am sure everyone will get a place to stay,” said Religious Affairs minister Suryadharma Ali, adding that he would fly to Mecca soon to check up on the arrangements.

The new minister has also stated his commitment to making next year’s Hajj arrangements as far in advance as possible.

By: Anita Rachman, Jakarta Globe [http://thejakartaglobe.com] – October 23, 2009