The Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) has expressed full support for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) initiative to send 500 former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on a free Hajj pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The program, spearheaded by the Bangsamoro Pilgrimage Authority (BPA) and the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’, will cover all travel-related expenses — including airfare, accommodation, transportation within Saudi Arabia, and administrative fees — allowing the beneficiaries to focus solely on their spiritual journey.
According to the OSAP, the initiative reflects the Marcos administration’s continuing commitment to the normalization process and reintegration of former MILF combatants into peaceful civilian life, in line with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed between the Philippine government and the MILF.
BARMM officials said this latest group follows a successful earlier batch in which 350 individuals, including 200 ex-combatants, were also granted the opportunity to perform the Hajj pilgrimage for free as part of the region’s peace-building and community rehabilitation efforts.
The Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is a sacred pilgrimage to the Holy City of Makkah required of every able-bodied and financially capable Muslim at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage involves a series of deeply symbolic rituals — such as entering the state of Ihram (spiritual purity), circumambulating the Kaaba, walking between Safa and Marwah, standing in vigil at Mount Arafat, and symbolically stoning the devil at Jamarat — which embody humility, obedience, and devotion to God.
Saudi authorities, meanwhile, have implemented advanced systems for crowd management, cooling facilities, and digital scheduling platforms to ensure the safety and comfort of millions of pilgrims each year.
For the former MILF combatants, this spiritual journey represents far more than religious fulfillment — it serves as a symbol of renewal, peace, and hope in the Bangsamoro region.
BARMM officials added that the Hajj program complements ongoing socio-economic interventions for decommissioned combatants, such as livelihood assistance, cash aid, housing programs, and skills training. By including a spiritual dimension, the initiative aims to help former fighters regain dignity, rediscover purpose, and strengthen their role in rebuilding communities.
Both OSAP and BARMM expressed optimism that this initiative will deepen the commitment of former MILF members to sustain peace and serve as an inspiration for others to embrace a life of faith, unity, and progress beyond armed struggle.