Pinoy Hajj pilgrims to head to Mecca despite warning vs. MERS-CoV

Despite the Department of Health's advice to defer Hajj due to the risk of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, a group of Filipino pilgrims is pushing through with its pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

A report on MindaNews late Wednesday quoted the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) as saying the pilgrims decided to push through with their pilgrimage.

NCMF regional director Macderul Sangkula indicated only an advisory from Saudi Arabia will stop the trip.

“But then, if that virus (MERS-CoV) is really very dangerous, I think the very office that should give advice is the government of Saudi Arabia through the Ministry of Health,” Sangkula told MindaNews.

He said the Saudi government will advise Muslims worldwide to forego with this year’s pilgrimage if the MERS-CoV is really dangerous.

He said 2,852 pilgrims from Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (ZamBaSulTa) are
going on the pilgrimage in Mecca.

The first batch of pilgrims is to depart for Saudi Arabia on September 5, he said.

DOH warning

Last July 3, the Department of Health advised Filipinos planning to go to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages to postpone their trips.

DOH Secretary Enrique Ona directed the advice to those most vulnerable such as those 60 years old and up, pregnant women, children below five years old, and those with diabetes, kidney disease, chronic lung disease, and weak immunity.

“Filipino pilgrims to Mecca are advised to consult a doctor before traveling to review the risk and assess whether making the pilgrimage is advisable,” he added.

For this year, Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam and the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity, is expected to fall between October 2 to 7, the DOH said.

Umrah, which the DOH said is sometimes referred to as the “lesser pilgrimage,” is a visit to the Grand Mosque in Makkah (Mecca), outside of the designated Hajj pilgrimage dates.

Still, Sangkula said they appreciated the show of concern from Health Secretary Enrique Ona in raising the MERS-CoV risk.

Meanwhile, the MindaNews report said the Zamboanga City Health Office is to conduct a seminar for the pilgrims on how to protect themselves against MERS-CoV infection.

City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos said he has coordinated with second district Rep. Lilia Nuño to set the schedule of the seminar. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

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