"Intending pilgrims this year are not that so lucky.
In November last year, I had the opportunity to interview Samaon Sami M. Buat, head of the Cultural Affairs Division of the Davao regional office of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).
It was about the requirement of the Commission for interested Shieks in this year's Hajj to Makkah. NCMF asked them to submit their application for accreditation not later than December 15, 2019.
Now there is no certainty whether Haj for this year will be pushed through amid the pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19), we heard there are intending pilgrims distressed by the virus.
What we can only hope is the Sheiks could help their Jama members to overcome this distress.
An accredited sheik (a guide or leader) is the one guiding certain numbers of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia under his group in the performance of the rituals of Hajj under the supervision of NCMF. (MNY)