JEDDAH: More than 800 Filipino Haj pilgrims have arrived safely in Saudi Arabia, the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Monday, quoting the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah. In a statement, the DFA said 411 pilgrims landed in Madina on Oct. 19 on board a Saudia flight from Manila, led by Dr. Anisa Mapupuno-Laguindab, head of the Philippine medical delegation for Haj 2010. After complying with Saudi immigration requirements, the pilgrims proceeded to their accommodation at the Mirage Taiba Hotel in Madina where they were met and assisted by a team from the Jeddah consulate, led by administrative officer Abdurrahyem S.Y. Macud, cultural officer Amir Hussein D. Alonto, property and protocol officer Faisal Richard A. Tamano, translator Yahya Datuharon Yahya and Office of the Haj Attaché officer-in-charge Robero M. Mutia. Another batch of 406 pilgrims arrived in Madina the next day, Oct. 20. The last batch is expected to arrive in Jeddah on Nov. 10. The Haj will start on Nov. 15, with over two million people expected to join in the pilgrimage, the DFA said.
