Some 8,000 Pinoys to perform Hajj in Saudi Arabia this year

At least 8,000 Filipinos will take part in this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, a Philippine official disclosed this week.

National Commission on Muslim Filipinos secretary Mehol Sadain gave this estimate after going to the Kingdom to check arrangements, according to a report of the news site Arab News.

“The Saudi Ministry of Haj granted our request for 8,000 visas for our pilgrims. Last year, only 6,000 pilgrims came to perform Hajj with a further 2,000 having requested visas,” Sadain told Arab News.

He noted that there is a 12,000-visa quota for the Philippines.

Together with the Philippine delegation, Sadain had visited the accommodations to be provided for the pilgrims before leaving Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

Contract signing

The Arab News report quoted Sadain as saying he had signed three of five contracts for this year's Hajj:

- contract with the Ministry of Hajj
- contract for Naqaba (transportation in Mina and Arafat)
- 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

Still to be signed are contracts with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and the housing provider. - VVP, GMA News

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