JAKARTA, Jan. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- The number of Indonesian hajj pilgrims who died in the Holy Land, Mecca, rose to 168 Saturday morning, Antara News Agency reported.

    Data at the Computerized Indonesian Hajj Information Center (Siskohat) showed that the number of Indonesian pilgrims who passedaway during the current pilgrimage season consisted of 106 men and62 women. Nine of them were from the hajj pilgrimage program-plus (ONH plus).

    Of the dead, six died in Jeddah, 27 in Medina, 105 in Mecca, 12 in Arafah, 16 in Mina and the remaining two died aboard the plane carrying them from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia.

    Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, sends hajj pilgrims in 472 flight batches to Saudi Arabia this year.

    The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims are expected to make the trip at least once in their life time if their conditions permit. Enditem