COTABATO CITY – The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) has called on pilgrims to register from December 16 to 31 this year for the 2021 Hajj to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
"This is to determine the actual number of intending pilgrims for the 2021 Hajj,” said Director Malo Manonggiring of NCMF’s Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment (BPE), in a statement on Wednesday, December 16.
Manonggiring said the BPE accepts registrants between the scheduled dates but no fees would be collected until the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) will release a confirmation on foreign pilgrims' inclusion.
“There is no advice yet from the KSA if foreign worshipers would be allowed for the 2021 Hajj,” Manonggiring said.
However, he said Saudi Arabia has already eased some restrictions for foreign pilgrims who were allowed to perform the “Umrah” pilgrimage.
Umrah is the name given to a pilgrimage to Mecca, which is a shorter version of the annual Hajj gathering.
Manonggiring said it was still possible for the 2021 Hajj to push through for the international Muslim community.
The annual Hajj is a
religious duty for able-bodied Muslims who are physically and financially
capable of undertaking the journey at least once in their lifetime. It is one
of the five pillars of Islam.
Manonggiring said
registration is free of charge and fees would only be collected upon approval. (NOEL
PUNZALAN, PNA, MINDANAO EXPOSE’)
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