At least 451 former combatants from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are preparing for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, a sacred journey many could not afford without financial assistance. The Manasikul Hajj Program, administered by the Bangsamoro Pilgrimage Authority, provides subsidized or free pilgrimage opportunities for residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Dr. Norodin Salam, deputy executive director of the Bangsamoro Pilgrimage Authority, emphasized that vaccination is a key requirement for the pilgrimage, serving both religious and health purposes. From April 13 to 15, 1,091 pilgrims from BARMM and Region XII received free vaccinations, including meningococcal and influenza shots, to comply with Saudi Arabia’s health regulations.
The BARMM was established in 2019 under Republic Act 11054, fulfilling a key provision of the 2014 peace agreement between the government and the MILF. The MNLF, led by Nur Misuari, had earlier signed a peace deal with the government in 1996.
Mabandas Kabagani Macacua, a 63-year-old former MNLF combatant, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging that he could not have funded the pilgrimage himself. The Ministry of Health highlighted the importance of vaccinations in safeguarding pilgrims, given the large international gatherings during Hajj. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)
