Press Release No. 55-2018
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN JEDDAH HOSTS HAJJ NIGHT FOR FILIPINO MUSLIM PILGRIMS
Consul General Edgar Badajos welcomes NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan
to the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah while Ambassador Adnan Alonto looks on
Jeddah, 26 August 2018 – The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Jeddah, along with the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, and their respective partner-agencies, namely, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in both Jeddah and Riyadh, and Office of the Social Welfare Attaché in Jeddah, hosted a Hajj Night on 24 August 2018 at the PCG Community Hall for the Filipino Muslim pilgrims who successfully performed the Hajj this year.
Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) led the guests. Amirul Hajj 2018 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 1st Vice Chair Ghazali Jaafar was unable to travel to Saudi Arabia, but he was ably represented by Datu Zahir Mamalinta.
During the Hajj Night, Consul General Edgar B. Badajos, Ambassador Adnan V. Alonto, and Secretary Pangarungan delivered separate remarks congratulating the pilgrims on their successful pilgrimage and noting marked improvements in the conduct of this year’s pilgrimage compared to the previous years. Datu Zahir Mamalinta read the Amirul Hajj’s message.
Every year, 2 to 3 million Muslims from around the world embark on their pilgrimage to Makkah to perform Hajj – one of the pillars of Islam. This takes them to a journey in Islam’s holiest city to deepen their faith and cleanse themselves of their sins. This year, approximately 5,800 Filipinos Muslims joined the Hajj.
Consul General Badajos delivering his Welcome Remarks during the Hajj Night
Ambassador Adnan Alonto conveying his message to the Filipino Muslim pilgrims
NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan sharing his thoughts to the Filipino Muslim pilgrims
Two pilgrims, one male and female, also shared their Hajj experience. Also present during the event were other officials from the NCMF, Philippine local government officials, sheiks and other pilgrims.
Some of the Filipinos Muslim pilgrims who attended the Hajj Night
(END)
