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- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 |Facebook: SDN – SciTech and Digital News
Part I of Umrah Journey 2024
NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Pasay City, November 20, 2024 (SDN) — King Salman bin Abdulaziz bin Al-Saud is hosting 1,000 Umrah pilgrims this year from various countries, a testament to the heart and soul of the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Among the guests accorded with free Umrah, inclusive of two-way Manila-Jeddah-Manila tickets on Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), hotel and food, tour, and transportation inside the Kingdom are 39 Filipinos chosen from the country’s estimated 10 million Muslims. Imagine the honor and privilege of being one of the 39 lucky ones among their millions of compatriots.
And one of the lucky ones is Queenie, daughter of popular movie actor now-Sen. Robin “Abdulaziz” Padilla, invited by King Salman as privileged guests of the Kingdom for the religious journey from November 20 to December 1.
On Tuesday, November 19, Ambassador Hisham bin Sultan Al-Qahtani feted and welcomed the 39 Umrah pilgrims at the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Makati City, Metro Manila.
The embassy distributed the pilgrims’ respective passports, Umrah visa, and round-trip tickets (Manila-Jeddah-Manila) as well as a Hajj/Umrah pamphlet. Each of the pilgrims expressed their appreciation and thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman through the embassy.
“We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected as guest of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the 1446 AH (Year 2024) Umrah and visitation programme. You are one of the distinguished guests from around the world to perform Umrah and visit the Prophet’s Mosque in recognition of your efforts and esteem position,” the official acceptance letter says which each pilgrim received.
“We congratulate you on this great honor and pray that Allah accepts your rites and grants you a blessed and accepted Umrah.”
Ambassador Al-Qahtani, the top envoy in the Philippines of King Salman, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (Makkah Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah City), welcomed them and patiently took the time to shake the hand of each of the 39 Umrah guests at the embassy’s Reception Room.
Umrah: refreshes faith, venue for seeking forgiveness
Saudi Arabia’s Chief of Mission in the Philippines wished the Filipino Umrah pilgrims well on their journey and encouraged them to perform their religious activities well and be acceptable to Allah (God in Arabic), as well as enjoy the sights and sounds and fill themselves with the Arabian atmosphere.
Saudi Embassy’s Hameed Al-Shammari, head of Religious Affairs and Media Division, told SDN – SciTech & Digital News that more than 300 Filipinos applied this year for the Umrah.
“We can only accommodate 39 of them,” Al-Shammari tells SDN. He added that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS) have invited for the free Umrah 1,000 pilgrims from around the world.
The embassy made sure that Moro tribal communities in the country are represented in this year’s Batch 2024. Hosting foreign pilgrims for free Hajj, the Pilgrimage to Makkah, and free Umrah (the minor pilgrimage) is an annual tradition for the Kingdom with each King preserving the religious favor.
Of the women’s group, three are officers of the Philippine Muslim Women Council (PMWC), Inc., namely: Dr. Anisaĥ Mapupuno Laguindab, Maria Theresa R. Sakkalahul, R.N, and Dr. Linang D. Macabalang.
The embassy chose Dr. Nasroden Ibrahim Alamada as the “amir” or leader of the group for his knowledge and experience on Hajj and Umrah.
“We thank the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, his son Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman for this great opportunity for the Islamic journey.
Alamada also expressed the group’s thanks to Saudi Ambassador Hisham bin Sultan Al-Qahtani and Head of Religious Affairs and Media Division Hameed Al-Shammari, as well as Religious Attaché Sheikh Yasser Al-Abad for their graciousness in assisting the Umrah pilgrims.
Included in the 39 are employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ((BARMM), religious leaders, professionals, and women.
Every year millions of Muslims across the globe embark on an annual journey to Mecca (Makkah) to perform the Hajj and the Umrah (which comes after the former), both of which are acts of worship and devotion.
The center of the pilgrimage is the Grand Mosque (Masjidil Haram) in Mecca, in the Kingdom’s western Hijaz province.
Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) received the revelation of the Qur’an in Mecca.
Present at the embassy to join the send-off were Mahabsar Lucman of the DFA and former Social Security System (SSS) commissioner Bai Norhata M. Alonto.
The Hajj is called the major pilgrimage and the Umrah the minor pilgrimage. Hajj is obligatory to every adult Muslim who is physically and financially capable; Umrah is optional, but millions also do it every year, including a visit to the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjidil Nabawi), in the City of Madinah.
An Arabic word, “Umrah”‘ in English means “visiting a populated place.”
Like the Hajj, Umrah also provides Muslims an opportunity “to refresh their faith, seek forgiveness and pray for their needs. One who performs it is said to be cleansed of their sins,” says the Middle East Eye news site.
Umrah starts soon after the five-day Hajj every year.
The Ka’aba at the Masjidil Haram, the direction which all Muslims pray, is the center of both Hajj and Umrah.
Islam has five pillars: Shahadah (Profession of Faith), Salah (5-daily prayers), Sawm (30 days Fasting during Ramadan), Zakat (Obligatory Charity), and the Hajj. (/)