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- EDD K. USMAN | X (Twitter): @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 |Facebook: SDN – SciTech & Digital News
(SDN) — Performing the annual Hajj, the Pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, presents a great challenge physically, especially for the elderly, what with millions crowding the religious sites.
Hajj rituals are being done in Mecca’s Arafah, Mina, and Masjidil Haram (Grand Mosque), where crowding is at its peak during the five to six days major rituals — which this year occurs in the early days of June.
Add to that the sizzling sun as the Islamic religious activities often coincide with summer, intensifying the temperature that triggers sunstroke and deaths.
To offset the heat even just a little bit, the Saudi government has established hundreds of water mist sprays in Arafah and Mina to help cool down pilgrims.
Most at risks are pilgrims who enter Mecca illegally to perform the fifth pillar of Islam. They do not pass through legal channel thus they have no tents in Arafah and Mina. Over 200 illegal pilgrims succumbed to the heat during Hajj 2024 because they did not have tents to shelter, especially in daytime.
According to theislamicinformation.com, the key dates for Hajj 2025 are:
- 1st Dhul Hijjah (May 28, 2025)
The month of Dhul Hijjah begins, marking the start of the best 10 days of the Islamic year. - 4th Dhul Hijjah (May 31, 2025)
The final day for non-Saudi airline flights carrying pilgrims to arrive in Saudi Arabia. - 8th Dhul Hijjah (June 4, 2025)
The official start of Hajj, also known as the Day of Tarwiyah, when pilgrims proceed to Mina. - 9th Dhul Hijjah (June 5, 2025)
The Day of Arafah, where pilgrims gather at Mount Arafah for supplication and reflection. - 10th Dhul Hijjah (June 6, 2025)
The biggest day of Hajj, coinciding with Eid al-Adha for non-pilgrims. Pilgrims perform key rituals, including the stoning of Jamarat and sacrificing animals. - 11th-13th Dhul Hijjah (June 7-9, 2025)
The Days of Tashreeq, marked by continued stoning of the Jamarat and residing in Mina. - 14th Dhul Hijjah (June 10, 2025)
The first departures of post-Hajj flights begin.
As for the Philippine Hajj operations, the BPE had set May 19 as the first Hajj flight for pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
Read: NCMF’s BPE MOA with Quarantine Bureau
It is not surprising the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) under the leadership of Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim is giving priority to ensuring as much as possible the health and safety of 5,000 Muslim Filipinos who are set to perform the pilgrimage this year.
With him as the “ameerul hajj” (head) of the Philippine Hajj Mission, the Commission entered into a collaborative endeavor with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as the NCMF reported on its social media account.
He is strongly supported by Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment (NCMF-BPE) Director Rahmatol M. Mamukid in the efforts, including partnership with the Bureau of Quarantine (DOH-BOQ) for the pilgrims’ vaccination against meningitis and flu.
Mamukid entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on April 4 with the BOQ headed by Director Ferdinand S. Salcedo to lay the ground rules, among other activities, for the administration of the immunization shots to the intending pilgrims, including mobile vaccination program supported by the DOH-BOQ.
Earlier on April 2, Abdurahim of Tawi-Tawi, Bangsamoro region, met with a DOH official, Executive Assistant Dr. Samantha Eumir M. Nolasco from the Office of Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah B. Dumama, Jr. The NCMF head was assisted by his Chief of Staff Hassanal Abdurahim and Mamukid.
The meeting with the DOH official was held at the Office of the Secretary (OS), Jocfer Building, in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila. Their meeting was preceded by Nolasco and Mamukid’s with Jeffrey H. Abubakar as they reviewed key details concerning the upcoming pilgrimage activities in Mecca.
Chief among the discussion revolved around “the healthcare and safety of Muslin Filipino pilgrims. This initial conversation laid the groundwork for the broader meeting (Secretary Abudrahin and Nolasco) where both parties reaffirmed their commitments in ensuring comprehensive medical support for the pilgrimage.”
Secretary Abdurahim and Nolasco discussed the strengthening of the NCMF Hajj Medical Team with five from the DOH — three doctors and two nurses funded by the department.
Through the DOH, the BOQ headquartered at the Port Area in Manila, “also committed to support a mobile vaccination program, ensuring that pilgrims receive necessary immunizations before departure. This joint initiative aims to provide a seamless and well-coordinated healthcare system for pilgrims, prioritizing their well-being throughout their journey.”
The BPE is the NCMF’s lead bureau in the administration of the pilgrimage, including the formulation and implementation of programs aimed at ensuring a smooth and organized religious journey.
On the other hand, the DOH is the government agency responsible for public health, ensuring that all Filipinos, including those traveling abroad for religious purposes, like the Hajj, are provided adequate healthcare services. \
“In particular, the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) has been a longstanding partner in the Hajj Program, playing a crucial role in ensuring the health and safety of Filipino pilgrims. Over the years, the BOQ has worked closely with the NCMF to implement vital health initiatives, including vaccination programs, and monitoring of health-related protocols during the Hajj operation, providing Filipino pilgrims with the medical support and protection they need throughout their journey,” the NCMF emphasizes.
“Through the combined efforts of the DOH and the NCMF’s Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment, this inter-agency initiative will not only ensure the health and well-being of Filipino Hajj pilgrims but also reinforce government collaboration in addressing the unique needs of Filipino Muslims embarking on the sacred journey.”
Agreement between NCMF’s BPE and BARMM-MOH
A day after the NCMF-DOH meeting, the Commission through its pilgrimage bureau struck another agreement with the BARMM’s MOH headed by Minister Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr. their MOA is “a strategic partnership” formalized through the signing at the OSEC Conference Room.
It was made possible “through the proactive efforts of the (BPE) led Mamukid.
The NCMF described this as “a pivotal milestone in strengthening healthcare initiatives for Muslim Filipino pilgrims during Hajj 2025.
“Under this agreement, the MOH-BARMM has committed to donating 5,000 doses each of flu and meningococcal vaccines to the NCMF. These vaccines are vital for meeting international health requirements and ensuring the well-being of pilgrims during their spiritual journey,” the Commission says.
Aside from the vaccine doses, the Bangsamoro health ministry also promised to provide the necessary logistical support for the pilgrims’ immunization drive.
“This includes, but is not limited to, essential medicines, medical supplies, and equipment required for the successful implementation of the inoculation program,” the Commission adds.
In relation with this, NCMF Commissioner Michael M. Mamukid highlighted the significance of NCMF-MOH partnership to advance Mecca pilgrims’ welfare for their safe and healthy participation in the pilgrimage.
Sinolinding “reaffirmed the Ministry’s full support and commitment to the partnership,” as he emphasized the importance of institutional cooperation and pledged to establish mechanisms to further enhance the delivery of health services related to Hajj.”
On his part, Secretary Abdurahim thanked Sinolinding for the partnership as voice his “heartfelt appreciation to MOH-BARMM for its unwavering support.”
The NCMF head also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration not only for the Hajj but also for broader efforts aimed at uplifting the well-being of Filipino Muslims, at the same time saying is optimistic the two Muslim-focused government agencies’ partnership will extend to future programs and initiatives.
The BPE’s chief of Pilgrimate Operations, Zainoden M. Usodan, recently appointed Director IV by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. also welcomed the partnership as he voiced gratitude to the MOH, saying the “NCMF remains fully committed to fulfilling its obligations under the agreement.”
Islam has five obligatory pillars, such as Shahaddah (Declaration of Faith), Salah (Five Daily Prayers), Sawm (Ramadan Fasting), Zakat (Obligatory Charity), and Hajj. (/)
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The author
EDD, a native of Sub-Saharan Africa Buluan/Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, BARMM, college at UST, is a Manila-based journalist for over 40 years (33 years with Manila Bulletin), has five Media Awards (1 with University of the Philippines (UP) 2017 Science Journalism Award), covered and traveled over 40 times abroad), has contributed to Rappler, Business Mirror, former Manila-based Foreign Correspondent of Saudi Arabia newspapers Saudi Gazette and Riyadh Daily, and The Peninsula (Qatar newspaper), with 2008 East-West Center (EWC) Journalism Seminar in the United States, 2000 Executive IT Seminar in Seoul, South Korea, with three Silver Awards in Photography, writes Muslim and Current Affairs, Enterprise, Science, Tech, Products Launch, and virtually everything under Heaven. (@)