On the Gravy Train to Mecca
There are more ways than one to get to the Middle East—from being brought along as a religious counselor, to charging it all to your government office or bureau.
February 11, 2003
HERE is one concrete example of an unexpected stroke of luck. Until five years ago, it was beyond the wildest dreams of Abdul Salam Syafaruddin of being able to make the haj at his young age. As a civil servant in an Indonesian Military (TNI) agency, he only took home about Rp500,000 a month. “How could I have ever thought of the haj?” he asked.
Luck was on his side, however. Unexpectedly, the commander of the unit where Abdul worked
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