Saudi- Fighting fails to deter Filipino pilgrims

(MENAFN- Arab News) Filipino Muslims from southern Philippines are pushing through with their plans to travel to Makkah to perform Haj, despite fighting between rebels and government troops in Zamboanga City on Mindanao Island. "We are happy to know that despite the raging battle, which unavoidably affects them, Filipino pilgrims are determined to perform Haj," Mohammad Eli Mua, president of the Riyadh-based Union of Muslim Associations, told Arab News. According to the latest reports, around 200 pilgrims from Zamboanga arrived in Cebu on an air force plane and are set to take an international flight to Saudi Arabia. Abdul Ghafar Dimalutang, vice president of the OFW Congress in Riyadh, told Arab News that dedication and faith to Islam inspired Filipino Muslims to undertake this holy journey in spite of the difficulties.