Pinoy pilgrim dies while en route to Mecca

JEDDAH — A Filipino pilgrim on his way to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage died before reaching his destination, a Philippine official here said.

Vice Consul RJ Sumague said the pilgrim, identified as Syamsul Alam Muhtar, died while still in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates last September 16.

Reports said Muhtar, 69, died of heart attack.

Muhtar was among the estimated 8,000 Filipinos who will take part in this year's Hajj pilgrimage.

Ad-drin N. Abusaman of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) led the Filipino delegation's advance party for the pilgrimage.

This year's delegation will be headed by NCMF Secretary Mehol K. Sadain.

The first Hajj flight arrived in Jeddah last September 14. — Ronaldo Concha/KBK, GMA News

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