Saudi embassy sends off 50 pilgrims

MANILA, Philippines -    Saudi Ambassador Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al Hassan led a send-off ceremony yesterday for 50 Filipino Muslim pilgrims who were invited by King  Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to take part  in the annual holy pilgrimage to the cities of Mecca and Medina.

In his sendoff message, the Saudi ambassador wished the pilgrims good luck.

“I hope you will be the messenger of peace when you return,” he said.

All of the pilgrims were given the Koran and ihram – a white cloth and belt, to be worn during the 14-day pilgrimage. They were also given special identification cards.

“The Filipino pilgrims will stay in five-star hotels and all expenses will be paid by the King,” Abdullah Al-Jebren of the Ambassador’s office told The STAR.

Among the pilgrims are “Balik Islam” missionaries from various parts of the country.

Omar Vina, a former Baptist pastor from Tanay  who embraced the Islamic  faith said it was a pleasant surprise that he was among those chosen to be a personal guest of the King.

The Saudi king has invited 50 Muslim Filipinos to take part in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage along with pilgrims from 40 other nations.

The other guest-pilgrims will come from Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey, Thailand, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Russia, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Singapore, Myanmar, Japan, Brunei, Guinea, South Korea, Maldives Islands, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, South Sudan and other African countries.

At least 4,000 Filipino pilgrims from all over the Philippines will also take part in the pilgrimage, which is expected to start on the first week of November depending on the location of the new moon on the Islamic calendar.