President Appoints NCMF Secretary Sabuddin Abdurahim the 2025 Amirul Hajj to Lead PH in Mecca Rites; BARMM Sponsors 350 Pilgrims

Urgent: NCMF Pilgrimage bureau urges pilgrims to finalize immediately their passport preparation and Mutawiff payments to avail themselves of limited camp spaces in Mina and Arafah, where major Hajj rituals are held annually. While the NCMF already was granted camp spaces by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the “coveted slots” are on an “extremely limited availability”.

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(SDN) — “Pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, you are hereby appointed Amirul Hajj for the 2025 Hajj to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Thus, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. formally ordered National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim as the amirul hajj to head the Philippine Hajj Mission to the Kingdom for the duration of the 5 to 6 days Pilgrimage to Mecca.

Marcos signed the appointment on February 13, saying Abdurahim, a former “sheikh” (pilgrims’ guide and mentor) “may qualify and perform the duties of the office.”

Based on the Charter of the Commission, Republic Act No. 9997, the head of the NCMF is automatically considered the amirul hajj

This is the second time the Tawi-Tawi native, and businessman is appointed to head the Filipino pilgrims’ delegation since he was appointed NCMF commissioner and secretary in March 2024. The NCMF has nine commissioners with four-year terms while the secretary, who must also be a commissioner, has two years.

As head of the delegation, the amirul hajj is “tasked with overseeing the welfare of pilgrims and ensuring a smooth and organized pilgrimage” as well as “act as the President’s representative through the sacred journey,” the NCMF’s Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution (BPCR) explains.

“In addition to spiritual responsibilities, the Amirul Hajj will engage in high-level discussions with Saudi officials to strengthen bilateral ties and address matters concerning the facilitation of Hajj for pilgrims from the nation. This appointment highlights the government’s commitment to supporting its citizens in fulfilling their religious obligations while maintaining strong diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia,” the BPCR emphasizes.

Tradition has it as seen in past pilgrimages to Mecca that the Office of the President provides from Php5 million or more funding for the entourage of the amirul hajj who must be all government employees.

In a related development, Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment (NCMF-BPE) Director Rahmatol M. Mamukid called on Filipino intending pilgrims to pay hajj fees and airfare only to sheikhs and travel agencies that BPE had already accredited for Hajj 2025 operation.

Engineer Mamukid made the urgent reminder on the “crucial need to transact exclusively with NCMF-BPE accredited sheikhs and duly recognized travel agencies when paying Hajj Mutawiff fees and airfare.”

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam

The BPE director issued the 2025 Hajj Advisory (BPE No. 20225-012, dated February 11), emphasizing the importance of following the advisory.

“This is the only way to guarantee the smooth and timely processing of your Hajj visa and to prevent unnecessary delays or complications in your pilgrimage. Do not make payments to unauthorized individuals or entities,” he advises.

Earlier, the NCMF announced the Mutawiff fees this year as US$3,160 (around Php186,000, more or less) for the five-to-six days Islamic rituals. (Exchange rate: $1 = Php58.70.). That’s for each Filipino pilgrim. R.A. No. 9997 authorizes pilgrims to choose their preferred travel agency and airlines for their two-way Manila-Jeddah/Madinah-Manila plane fare.

Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) announced a few days ago the regional government will be sponsoring for free pilgrimage to Mecca 350 pilgrims from the Bangsamoro region.

Pilgrims from the BARMM under its Bureau of Pilgrimage Authority (BPA) headed by Ustadhz Said Salendab are comprised 200 decommissioned combatants, 150 former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and 22 office personnel.

They will be accompanied, guided and mentored by ulama (Islamic religious leaders) from the Bangsamoro Darul Iftah (BDI).

To prepare the 350 sponsored pilgrims, the BPA and BDI already held a meeting to organize and streamline the “the program’s processes to ensure its success while paving the way for future joint initiatives aimed at supporting the Bangsamoro community in various religious and social endeavors.”

Dr. Norodin Salam, BPA deputy executive director, cited the meeting’s significance in a statement released by the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO), which is under the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) of the BARMM.

“This historic meeting with our Ulama signifies a jump start of strengthening the readiness of Bangsamoro pilgrims,” Salam, a professor at the Cotabato State University (CSU), points out.

He said the BARMM-sponsored pilgrims will be processed in coordination with the NCMF.

The Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and is obligatory to every adult Muslim — women and men — who are physically and financially capable once in a lifetime.

Islam’s five pillars are Shahaddah (Profession of Faith — There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger); Salat (Five Daily Prayers); Sawm (Fasting in Ramadan); Zakat (Obligatory Charity); and Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca).

From the BPE, here’s the schedule of flights and airlines that pilgrims may booked their seats for the religious journey:

Abdurahim said the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has granted the Philippines a quota of 5,000 pilgrims for Hajj 2025. (/)