MANILA: On Thursday, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos sent off the first group of Hajj pilgrims, signalling the start of the annual pilgrimage season for Muslims in the predominantly Catholic Philippines.
Muslims account for approximately 10% of the nearly 120 million people in the Philippines, with the majority living on the island of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago in the south, as well as in the central-western province of Palawan. With the Hajj scheduled to begin on June 14 and end on June 19, many pilgrims leave early to make the most of this spiritual journey, one of Islam’s five pillars.
As we bid farewell to our beloved pilgrims embarking on the sacred journey to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, my heart is filled with prayers for their safety, security, and a smooth journey,” Abdurahim said. I fervently pray that this year’s Hajj is free from any hurdles of challenges, ensuring a profound spiritual experience for each of you.”
The NCMF reported that approximately 5,000 Muslims have confirmed their plans to travel to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage this year.
Hapidz Yusop, a pilgrim from Sulu, stated that he was fulfilling his dream of making the sacred pilgrimage.
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