"I just received a communication from my government that this year’s pilgrimage is ‘Haji Akbar’ because ‘Standing in Arafat’ falls on a Friday on December 29," Wali told the Manila Bulletin through a mobile phone call.

He said the Feast of Sacrifice or Eid’l Adha is on Dec. 30, adding Muslim Filipino leaders are invited to perform Eid prayers at the Saudi Embassy.

"With uqof on a ‘Juma’ah’ (Friday), we expect many high ranking dignitaries, even presidents, prime ministers and kings, to try to catch up and perform the hajj this year," said the ambassador.

He assured that the entire government of King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and the Saudi people are ready to welcome and serve the pilgrims and provide security for them.

Wali said the kingdom’s Supreme Judiciary Council declared during its meeting on Dec. 20 (29th of Dhul Qadah 1427 in the Hegirah calendar) that the first day of Dhul Hijjah fell on Thursday, Dec. 21.

The council issued a proclamation after receiving the report of the Moon-Sighting Special Committee tasked to watch the arrival of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon.

Islamic scholars said that when Uqof, which is also called the Day of Arafat, falls on a Friday, pilgrimage is equivalent to several hajj performances.

Pilgrimage, they said, is invalid if a pilgrim fails to be within the plains of Arafat on the day of uqof.

Dhul Hijjah is the last month of the Islamic calendar whose first few days coincide with the five-day pilgrimage.