RP steps up drive vs OFWs entering Saudi Arabia as pilgrims
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government will be more stringent in the facilitation of thousands of Muslim pilgrims performing the Haj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as several Filipinos were found to haved overstayed and worked there.
Datu Ali Sangki, Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) executive director, told GMANews.TV on Monday that they have asked Muslim elders to sign an affidavit of undertaking so that they would be held accountable for Filipino pilgrims they recruit for Saudi Arabia.
Sangki said the Muslim leaders organize Filipino Muslims in different parts of the country to make the annual pilgrimage to Makkah.
“There are certain sheiks involved in nefarious activities," Sangki said, referring to the illegal recruitment of Filipinos to work in the Middle East.
About 320 Filipino pilgrims are set to leave for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, according to Sangki. The pilgrims are the first of 13 batches that would make the annual trip.
The OMA, which has facilitated the pilgrimage of Filipino Muslims to Saudi Arabia for 30 years, noted that in 2007, about 217 out of the 920 Filipino pilgrims did not return to the country when their Haj visas expired after two months.
Last October, 105 out of the 741 pilgrims also did not return home.
Sangki said they have identified 15 "sheiks" involved in shady transactions with Filipino pilgrims.
Thousands of Filipino workers are lured to enter Saudi Arabia as M pilgrims, only to overstay and seek employment in the kingdom and in neighboring states.
With no legal documents, these migrants are vulnerable to abuses by employers who threaten to have them deported or jailed if they fight back. Unable to approach local authorities for help, they run away and seek help in the Philippine Embassy.
Last week, the Saudi Arabian Passport Department warned against Saudi nationals or expatriates who are found to employ, transport or accommodate overstaying Muslim pilgrims.
According to an Arab News report some Saudis and expatriates perform Haj without obtaining permits.
Overstaying pilgrims often sleep in public places, especially on the pedestrian path between Mina and Muzdalifah, and around the stoning area of the Jamarat in Mina, causing problems to other pilgrims.
The Passport director also urged Umrah companies to ensure pilgrims leave before their visas expire.
Meanwhile, Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said security officers would conduct a crackdown in holy sites to look for pilgrims who do not have Haj permits.
Prince Khaled has earlier warned that tough measures would be taken against those who transport pilgrims with expired Umrah visas. - GMANews.TV
Datu Ali Sangki, Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) executive director, told GMANews.TV on Monday that they have asked Muslim elders to sign an affidavit of undertaking so that they would be held accountable for Filipino pilgrims they recruit for Saudi Arabia.
Sangki said the Muslim leaders organize Filipino Muslims in different parts of the country to make the annual pilgrimage to Makkah.
“There are certain sheiks involved in nefarious activities," Sangki said, referring to the illegal recruitment of Filipinos to work in the Middle East.
About 320 Filipino pilgrims are set to leave for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, according to Sangki. The pilgrims are the first of 13 batches that would make the annual trip.
The OMA, which has facilitated the pilgrimage of Filipino Muslims to Saudi Arabia for 30 years, noted that in 2007, about 217 out of the 920 Filipino pilgrims did not return to the country when their Haj visas expired after two months.
Last October, 105 out of the 741 pilgrims also did not return home.
Sangki said they have identified 15 "sheiks" involved in shady transactions with Filipino pilgrims.
Thousands of Filipino workers are lured to enter Saudi Arabia as M pilgrims, only to overstay and seek employment in the kingdom and in neighboring states.
With no legal documents, these migrants are vulnerable to abuses by employers who threaten to have them deported or jailed if they fight back. Unable to approach local authorities for help, they run away and seek help in the Philippine Embassy.
Last week, the Saudi Arabian Passport Department warned against Saudi nationals or expatriates who are found to employ, transport or accommodate overstaying Muslim pilgrims.
According to an Arab News report some Saudis and expatriates perform Haj without obtaining permits.
Overstaying pilgrims often sleep in public places, especially on the pedestrian path between Mina and Muzdalifah, and around the stoning area of the Jamarat in Mina, causing problems to other pilgrims.
The Passport director also urged Umrah companies to ensure pilgrims leave before their visas expire.
Meanwhile, Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said security officers would conduct a crackdown in holy sites to look for pilgrims who do not have Haj permits.
Prince Khaled has earlier warned that tough measures would be taken against those who transport pilgrims with expired Umrah visas. - GMANews.TV
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