Davao allots P3M for holy pilgrimage of 16 Muslims

THE Davao City Government has allotted more than P3 million for the holy pilgrimage, or Hajj, of 16 Muslims coming from different tribes and Muslim organizations within the city.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, in an interview on Sunday, August 6, said that full support is given to the pilgrims for their Hajj to the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Duterte-Carpio said all-in expenses from fare passport, document, specifically for Hajj, accommodation, and transportation is pegged at P212,000 per person.

"Naa na silay alay didto gibayaran na nato. I think sheep ang alay didto, daghan tag lain–laing requirements during Hajj so pag-abot nila didto wala na silay outside expenses (Their offering there is already prepared, which we also paid. I think it is a sheep. We also secured different requirements for the Hajj so that when they go to the area, they will not have outside expense)," she said.

Duterte-Carpio said they want to provide as much convenience as possible to the 16 pilgrims who will be going to Mecca.

Duterte-Carpio said chosen pilgrims this year were selected from the six Muslim tribes within the city including those from Muslim organizations.

"Gipaningkamutan nato na ang tribes naay representative, naay Muslim organizations nga naay representative, gipapili nato sila kinsa ang ilang ipadala (We made sure that each tribe has a representative, there are also representatives from Muslim organizations, we allowed them to select from their own members),” she said.

She added that they have prioritized those who have not yet been on a Hajj before.

The pilgrims will depart from the city Thursday next week and their pilgrimage is expected to last for 15 to 20 days.

The city has been funding the Hajj of chosen Muslims every year. The various groups and tribes themselves do the selection. (SunStar Philippines)