8,000 Filipinos to perform Haj this year

A total of 8,000 Filipinos will perform Haj this year, said Secretary Mehol K. Sadain of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) yesterday.
Sadain left the Kingdom on last night after a five-day visit to ensure all arrangements are in place for a smooth Haj this year.
“The Saudi Ministry of Haj granted our request for 8,000 visas for our pilgrims.
Last year, only 6,000 pilgrims came to perform Haj with a further 2,000 having requested visas,” said Sadain from Jeddah.
He added that there is a 12,000-visa quota for the Philippines.
Sadain led a five-member delegation to the Kingdom this year. He left on Thursday night due to his participation in peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The four other members of the delegation have remained in the Kingdom to complete preparations. They are commissioners Edilwasif Baddiri, Mirqarl Allian and Abang Marohom Salic and director Laman Piang. They are scheduled to leave the kingdom on Feb. 27.
Sadain said he was able to sign three of the five contracts needed for this year's Haj.
“These include the contract with the Ministry of Haj, a contract for Naqaba (transportation in Mina and Arafat), a contract for MOASASA which involves the provision of tents and food at Mina and Arafat and United Agents for transport from the airport to Madinah and from Madinah to Makkah,” he said.
He said the contracts with the Saudi Ministry of Haj and the housing provider were yet to be signed.
Sadain said that during his stay in the Kingdom, his delegation was able to visit the accommodations to be provided for the pilgrims.