MANILA: The number of Filipino pilgrims for Haj 2010 has exceeded 4,000, Philippine authorities have said, adding that all the pilgrims are now in the Kingdom. National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Secretary/CEO, Bai Omera D. Dianalan Lucman, said here recently that several Filipino Muslims decided to go on the pilgrimage despite the hard times brought about by the continuing conflict in Mindanao. “I am glad about the enthusiasm of Filipino pilgrims for the Haj. Somehow our brothers and sisters were able to find resources for their religious travel to Makkah,” said Lucman. She said they had reserved seats for 3,800 pilgrims in 10 flights of the Saudi Arabian Airlines with other pilgrims boarding other airlines. Lucman thanked Saudi embassy officials, particularly Ambassador Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Hassan and Consul General Khaled Al-Qahtani, for facilitating the Haj visas of Filipinos, including those who did not fly with the Saudi flag carrier. Lucman said the Filipino pilgrims now in the Kingdom are doing fine and have not encountered any problem. She said she spoke with Akmad Kuwair, the Saudi official in-charge of Filipino pilgrims, who promised to address any concerns from the pilgrims regarding their accommodations in Makkah. Lucman also thanked Philippine President Benigno Aquino III for proclaiming Nov. 16 as national and non-working holiday in commemoration of Eid Al
