Jakarta, May 29 -- Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar has said that the decision on where Indonesian hajj pilgrims wish to perform their Damm sacrifice (animal sacrifice as a form of fine)-be it Mecca or Indonesia-will be up to them.

"Regarding the location for slaughtering Damm, we leave it to the individual," the minister said before leaving for Saudi Arabia to lead Amirul Hajj on Thursday.

He noted that the Damm sacrifice is usually carried out in the Holy Land. However, questions have been raised as to whether the practice would possibly be carried out in Indonesia. The question was.also raised by the Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj.

Minister Umar said that a number of countries are carrying out the Damm sacrifice within the...