Gov’t offers to add P15 M more to hajj budget
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Fri, 07 Jun 2019 09:45:28 +0000
As part of investing in peace, the government is planning to sponsor the pilgrimage of more Muslim Filipinos to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
President Duterte has offered to add P15 million to the annual pilgrimage budget and send Muslims to Mecca “by tribes” for the hajj next year.
“Let us invest on peace. Gumastos ka. Hindi mo binibili dito. Tinutulungan mo lang ang kapwa mong Pilipino na ang relihiyon Islam. Let us invest on peace,” he said during the Eid’l Fitr celebration in Davao City Thursday.
Duterte proposed the government could shoulder the pilgrimage expenses of more Muslims, including those from the opposition camp. “It should be by tribe. Start with the major tribes,” he said.
He recognized that hajj, a pilgrimage to the holy place of Mecca, is considered a religious duty for Muslims.
“Hindi naman ‘yan pupunta doon magpa-picture kung saan-saan. Pagpunta lang ‘yan doon sa Mecca to fulfill a religious mandate. After that mag-uwi na man ‘yan,” he said. “Para sa kanila ‘pag natapos ang Mecca, wala na silang problema. Mamatay man sila bukas, wala na ‘yan sila. So ganon ‘yan. So siguro mga P15 million,” he added.
While offering to increase the pilgrimage budget, Duterte said in jest that the pilgrims could stop by Dubai, United Arab Emirates to do some shopping. “I’ll give you an estimate but huwag ninyong ubusin. Magdaan kayo ng Dubai para mag-shopping. Bakit? Kristiyanos lang marunong mag-shopping? Mas grabe ‘tong mga ‘to,” he added.
The President made the remarks after defending the use of P5 million in Marawi rehabilitation funds for the Mecca pilgrimage of displaced residents of Marawi City last year. He urged the Commission on Audit to allow the fund release made by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council’s to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.
The State audit agency earlier called the attention of HUDCC for the supposed unauthorized expense and sought a refund of the money. (Genalyn Kabiling)