COTABATO CITY, Philippines (AhlulBayt News Agency) - About 5,000 Muslims going on a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, fear they will not be able to make the trip for the annual Hajj because of a leadership struggle in the office of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).
The leadership row in the government office that looks after the welfare of pilgrims has been raging for about a month now.
The controversy came about when President Aquino designated last month Dr. Hamid Barra to head the NCMF despite a fixed term for Bai Omera Lucman who was appointed by former President Arroyo.
Lucman defended her appointment, claiming she was not a “midnight appointee.” She has a four-year fixed term.
The NCMF, formerly the Office of Muslim Affairs, is tasked to endorse all visas of Filipino-Muslim pilgrims for the annual Hajj to Mecca.
An official from the NCMF said Saudia Airlines, the official carrier of Filipino pilgrims, has allotted only 10 flights for the Philippines-Mecca-Philippines route from Oct. 18 to Nov. 10.
The Saudi Embassy in Makati City has suspended the granting of Hajj visas to the Filipino pilgrims pending the resolution of the ongoing NCMF dispute.
Last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the Saudi Embassy Barra’s appointment. But the same letter cited the petition of Lucman pending in the Supreme Court.
source : http://www.abna.ir
