Pilgrimage of the heart: Filipino reverts' spiritual journey to Mecca before Eid Al Adha

GMA Network

26-05-2025

UAE-based Katherine Sumile at the Umbrah, behind her is the Kabbah in Masjid Al Haram (The Grand Mosque) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Katherine Sumile)
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates —As the sacred day of Eid Al Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, draws near, a profound sense of devotion and gratitude sweeps across the United Arab Emirates.
For some Filipino Muslim reverts, their spiritual journey of faith has taken them even further, toward the heart of Islam, the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Among them is 28-year-old Katherine Lim Sumile from Misamis Occidental, who embraced Islam just
last year. Her newfound faith has ignited a deep yearning to perform Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage.
For her, the opportunity to set foot in Mecca, Islam's holiest site, is not just a personal milestone,
but a cherished spiritual aspiration.
Born into a Christian household, Sumili found herself drawn to Islam's profound emphasis on
discipline, purposeful living, and personal accountability.
What began as a curiosity gradually unfolded into a deeply personal spiritual journey—one that led
her to discover a meaningful connection with Allah through consistent prayer, reflection, and
mindful practice.
When the opportunity to perform Umrah came in February this year, she embraced it without a
moment's hesitation.
'Going for Umrah was completely unplanned and came at very short notice. When my colleague at
work asked if I wanted to go with her, I immediately said yes and then asked my boss for leave.
Financially, it was a bit challenging, but with my sister's support, I was able to manage,' she told
GMA Integrated News.
Umrah, often called the lesser pilgrimage, is a sacred journey to Mecca that can be performed at any
time of the year.
Unlike Hajj—Islam's major pilgrimage and one of the Five Pillars of the faith—Umrah is not obligatory, but it remains a deeply spiritual act of devotion for many Muslims.
Sumile, who works as a hotel sales coordinator in Abu Dhabi, recalled how she prepared for the
Umrah by engaging the help of a Filipino Muslim teacher for guidance.
Known by her Muslim name, Khadija, she said being able to perform Umrah was a powerful
experience and prays to do it again whenever circumstances allow her to.
'It was incredibly overwhelming. The moment I stepped into Makkah, I felt like I had finally arrived
at something I had been waiting for my entire life. When I saw the Kaaba for the first time, I couldn't
hold back my tears, they just kept flowing. I cried throughout the Tawaf. What was even more
surprising was that I managed to touch the Kaaba three times. I know not everyone gets that chance,
but for me, it felt effortless, like I was being gently drawn closer to it. It felt as though I was meant to
stand right there,' Sumile said.
Katherine Sumile in Mecca, Saudi Arabia as she performs Umrah in February 2025. (Photo by Katherine Sumile)
Blessed
Another Filipina Muslim, Noveem Conde Tabamo, who embraced Islam in 2023, told GMA
Integrated News in a separate interview that she felt blessed to perform Umrah twice.
Her recent Umrah was very special as she did it with her husband, Riaj Khan, during Ramadan in March this year.
Tabamo, a 27-year-old teacher currently based in Al Ain City, shared that while the pilgrimage comes
with its challenges, the profound sense of fulfillment after completing the journey is truly
indescribable.
'Despite the struggles, it was one of the most spiritually fulfilling experiences of my life. Every
hardship was worth it for the chance to worship in the holy land during the blessed month. The
feeling is beyond words," she said.
"Each time I visit, it feels like coming home—a place so familiar, peaceful, and sacred. The sense of devotion, tranquility, and connection is unmatched. I'm deeply grateful that Allah allowed me to visit His house. Every sacrifice, every emotion it's all truly worth it,' she recalled.
Tabamo, who hails from Payatas in Quezon City, moved to the United Arab Emirates in February 2020
to work initially as an assistant teacher. Inspired by her lead teacher who is an Emirati, Tabamo said her journey to Islam is deeply personal and meaningful.
'The turning point in my journey began when I was working as an assistant teacher. My lead teacher
was an Emirati, and despite the challenges and pressures of the job, I noticed something remarkable
about her. No matter how busy the day was, she always made time for prayer. She remained calm,
composed, and kind never raising her voice, never showing stress. Her character made a deep
impression on me,' Tabamo told GMA Integrated News.
Tabamo, who now goes by her Muslim name, Mariam, admits that embracing Islam was far from
easy. Her decision was initially met with resistance from her family—particularly from her 79-year-
old grandfather, a devoted Catholic minister since the age of 25.
However, by the grace of Allah, hearts began to soften. During a visit home in December last year,
her family saw the positive changes in her—her calm demeanor, newfound discipline, and inner
peace. In witnessing this transformation, they chose to respect her decision and support her
journey.
'They saw peace, the discipline and the strength I had found through Islam and that spoke louder
than any words,' she stressed.
Noveem Conde Tabamo with her husband during their Umrah Pilgrimage in Mecca in Ramadan, March 2025. (Photo by Noveem Tabamo)
Transformative journey
Meanwhile, Neil Panares, 45, from Naga City, Cebu, in a separate interview also shared his transformative journey to Islam.
Just like Tabamo, Panares performed Umrah during the first week of March this year, in time of
Ramadan, the holiest month of Islam.
'The moment I saw the Kaaba for the first time, I was overcome with emotion, and tears welled up in my eyes as I prayed to Allah (SWT) for guidance not just for myself but for my mother, my
father, my family, and my friends—to be blessed with the light of Islam,' he said.
Panares, who is a biomedical engineer in Abu Dhabi, said he prepared his sacred journey by
attending preparatory lectures in Dar Zayed, an Islamic school based in the capital.
The emotional support and mentorship provided by his colleagues and Muslim friends added to his
confidence, helping him to navigate his internal reflections and logistical hurdles that come with being an Overseas Filipino Worker.
'Balancing work responsibilities while ensuring I had the necessary funds and resources was
demanding, yet the constant support, especially from our Filipino teacher at Dar Zayed, made all the difference. The most powerful and emotional moments unfolded during Umrah in Ramadan, a
time when the rewards of worship are multiplied, making it as valuable as performing Hajj,' Panares
said.
Panares, who is known by his Muslim name as Ibrahim, said performing the obligatory prayers
including the Tarawih, special voluntary prayers performed by Muslims at night during the holy month of Ramadan, in Masjid al-Haram (The Grand Mosque) in Mecca made him realize the ultimate essence of true worship.
'These moments not only deeply moved me but also reaffirmed the unifying spirit of Islam and the
essence of true worship. Through this pilgrimage, I have gained a renewed sense of purpose and
strengthened my commitment to Islam, reminding me that every bow and prostration in devotion to
Allah (SWT) is a step toward ultimate spiritual fulfilment,' he stressed.
Panares embraced Islam during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic where it gave him the
opportunity to make deep reflections and contemplation at a time of great uncertainty.
He took the shahada (Islamic declaration of faith) on June 24, 2020 through the help of an Egyptian colleague who guided him to attend an Islamic school which later became his stepping stone in his
journey as a Muslim.
Panares admitted that embracing Islam drew mixed reactions from his family and friends.
'My family's reaction to my decision varied. Some were surprised, while others were supportive. My
wife, in particular, had an emotional response she cried and struggled to understand her feelings,
largely influenced by the negative rumors and misconceptions about Islam' Panares said.
As millions of Muslims all over the world prepare for Eid Al Adha, Panares said he readies himself by reciting and reading the Quran more, engaging in extra prayers, and making heartfelt du'as. His fervent prayer to Allah is for forgiveness, blessings and for his family to be guided toward the
light of Islam.
'To my fellow Filipino Muslims, let us continue to uphold our faith with sincerity and devotion, embracing the true meaning of Eid Al Adha—a celebration of sacrifice, obedience, and generosity. May we always support one another and strengthen the bonds of our Ummah, fostering unity and understanding wherever we are,' he said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News