Muslim pilgrims pinning hopes on direct Davao-Medina service

DAVAO CITY — The National Commission of Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) hopes Philippine Airlines (PAL) will go ahead with a plan to offer direct service from Davao to the holy city of Medina, in Saudi Arabia, to cater to the Muslim pilgrim market.

NCMF-Region XI cultural affairs division chief Sami M. Buat told BusinessWorld that the agency is hoping PAL’s plan will materialize in time for Hajj season later in the year. In July, PAL announced special flights to Saudi Arabia from Manila for Hajj pilgrims bound for Mecca. These flights, using the widebody Airbus A330, operated on August 15- 24 nonstop to Medina. From Medina, pilgrims traveled onwards to Mecca, Islam’s holiest city.

A pilgrimage to Mecca is obligatory for all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey.

Mr. Buat said the agency has started registering applicants for this year’s Hajj season.

He said two airlines, PAL and Saudia, currently serve the Hajj market.

He said registration is still ongoing for the Hajj this year, with a deadline of May 25. Requirements include proof of flu vaccination.

Passports must be submitted at the various registration centers by July 7 with visa stamping starting on July 10. On July 25 the advance team composed of the off icials of NCMF will depart for Medina and applicants must come in on July 30 for a pre-departure orientation.

The first outbound flight from Manila to Medina is set for Aug. 2 and the last outbound flight is Aug. 17. Aug. 23 is the last day permitted for travel from Medina to Mecca. Aug. 31 is the 9th day of the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah on the Islamic calendar, which marks the official start of the Hajj as well as the Festival of the Sacrifice.