Press Release No. 025-03
21 January 2003
FILIPINO HAJJ PILGRIMS ARRIVE SAFELY, RECEIVE WARM WELCOME

Some 500 Filipino pilgrims have arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to participate in the Hajj this year. According to the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah, the pilgrims, which came in two batches, have arrived safely without problems at the immigration, customs or Hajj authorities at the airport.
    
The first batch of 250 Hajjis arrived last 16 January, to a warm welcome by the Filipino Muslim Community and Consulate staff led by Ambassador Bahnarim A. Guinomla and Consul General Kadatuan P Usop.

The second batch of 277 Filipino pilgrims arrived this Sunday, 19 January.

All the pilgrims were provided meals by the Filipino Muslim Community.
    
Consul General Usop said members and leaders of some 18 Filipino Organizations  do their best to provide assistance to the pilgrims from the day of their arrival up to the day they leave.

"The workers, members, presidents and chairmen of these organizations and associations also assist the consulate in rendering services during the Hajj season," he added.

During the Hajj, a fully manned operations center is opened by the Consulate to assist in the arrival of the pilgrims.

"The entire staff and all possible resources are mobilized and pressed into service for the comfort of the pilgrims," said Usop.

The Consulate is expecting a total of 4000 Hajjis to arrive from the Philippines this year. Most of them will be performing the pilgrimage for the first time.