Qa'da 18, 1431, Oct 26, 2010, SPA -- More than 800 Filipino Hajj pilgrims have arrived safely in Saudi Arabia, the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Monday, quoting the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah. In a statement, the DFA said 411 pilgrims landed in Madinah on October 19 on board a Saudia flight from Manila, led by Dr. Anisa Mapupuno-Laguindab, head of the Philippine medical delegation for Hajj 2010. After complying with Saudi immigration requirements, the pilgrims proceeded to their accommodation at the Mirage Taiba Hotel in Madinah where they were met and assisted by a team from the Jeddah consulate, led by administrative officer Abdurrahyem S.Y. Macud, cultural officer Amir Hussein D. Alonto, property and protocol officer Faisal Richard A. Tamano, translator Yahya Datuharon Yahya and Office of the Hajj Attaché officer-in-charge Robero M. Mutia. Another batch of 406 pilgrims arrived in Madinah the next day, October 20. The last batch is expected to arrive in Jeddah on November 10, according to a report of the Saudi Gazette published today. The Hajj will start on November 15 with over two million people expected to join in the pilgrimage, the DFA said.
