GMA sends off Mecca pilgrims at NAIA

A funny thing happened on the way to Mecca.

The first batch of Muslim pilgrims this year to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, got the surprise of their lives yesterday when President Arroyo saw them off at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

"I am here to send you off and congratulate all of you in the coming pilgrimage," Mrs. Arroyo told the pilgrims at NAIA’s Gate 7.

The President mingled with those in the pre-departure area, shaking hands with members of the delegation about to board their flight.

In the end her cheeks were smudged red with lipstick from kisses of female participants and even the flight attendants of Saudi Arabia Airlines.

Zamzamin Ampatuan, the new secretary of Muslim affairs, said this is "the first time in Philippine history that a President of the Republic" helped send off a group of Muslim pilgrims to Mecca, "and we are all happy about that."

The gesture will send the message to the Muslims in this predominantly Christian country, and to the whole Islamic world as well, that she is personally looking into their concerns, Ampatuan said.
The first batch of pilgrims, numbering 427, left yesterday. Other batches will follow on Feb. 12, 18, 19, 21, 25 and 26, with a total number of 2,967. The pilgrimage commences on March 4 and 5.

While on her way to Gate 7, Mrs. Arroyo also welcomed arriving overseas Filipino workers coming from Saudi Arabia. Some of the OFWs called the President "Ma’am."

The President, in sending off the pilgrims and welcoming the returning Filipino workers, was accompanied by NAIA general manager Edgardo Manda.

The yearly pilgrimage to Mecca is seen by Muslim elders as a moment for spiritual reflection on the need for religious solidarity to achieve peace in Mindanao, the country’s troubled Muslim homeland.

Ampatauan said the first batch of pilgrims came from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and other areas in the south.

Ampatuan said about 6,000 Filipino Muslims have signified their intention to join this year’s Hajj, but only about 4,000 have confirmed that they will visit Mecca.

The pilgrimage is one of the so-called five pillars of Islam, which include belief in Allah, fasting during the month of Ramadan, giving of zakat or alms to the poor, and praying five times a day facing the west.
"We are praying too that this year’s Hajj will give the Filipino pilgrims added inspiration to continue helping in the Mindanao peace process," Ampatuan said.

A pilgrim who has completed the two-week Hajj will earn the title Al-Haj and Al-Hadja, for men and women, respectively.

Ampatuan said this year’s Amerul Hajj, or the leader of the Filipino pilgrims, is still his predecessor, outgoing Muslim affairs director Ahmad Tomawis.

"We have agreed to go on with that arrangement because there might be some setbacks if we change the set-up considering that we lack material time to do so," Ampatuan said.

In a press statement, the league of mayors in Maguindanao appealed to the national government to focus on programs aimed at strengthening religious solidarity among Muslims and Christians in the war-torn south.

"We must remember that all religions teach universal love and unity among all men. Muslims are cognizant of this. In fact Islam advocates religious tolerance," said Datu Michael Sinsuat, mayor of Upi. – Rudy Santos, John Unson