Hajj pilgrims to get special treatment at NAIA—BI

n By VITO BARCELO

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has assured the more than 7,000 Filipino Muslims who will attend the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia next month of speedy and hassle-free immigration processing during their departure from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said he has issued an operations circular streamlining the BI’s procedures in processing the departing Hajj pilgrims.

Tansingco said more than 7,000 Filipino Muslims are expected to join this year’s Haj pilgrimage, thus the need for the BI to adopt measures that will facilitate their speedy and unhampered departure.

“This is our way of extending support and courtesy to our Muslim brothers who are embarking on this pilgrimage which is considered as one of Islam’s most sacred and important religious events,” Tansingco said.