3,445 Filipino pilgrims arrive in Saudi for Hajj

Some 3,445 Filipino pilgrims are now in Saudi Arabia for the traditional Hajj pilgrimage, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday. The DFA cited a report from the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah the Filipino pilgrims arrived aboard 13 flights from Manila and entered through Madinah or Jeddah. It said the flight carrying the first batch of some 350 pilgrims arrived as early as Oct. 25, while the last flight ferrying officials from the Office of Muslim Affairs arrived on Nov. 21. Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong is Amerul Hajj or pilgrim leader for this year’s pilgrimage. He arrived in Jeddah at 1:30 a.m. on November 19. The DFA said consulate representatives, composed mainly of personnel of the Consulate’s Office of the Hajj Attache, are assisting the pilgrims. It added the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah continues to look after and provide assistance to the pilgrims as they perform Hajj. "Hajj pilgrims are expected to depart in December and early January," it said. - KBK, GMANews.TV