Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Thousands of UAE pilgrims have arrived in the holy city of Makkah, ready to begin the sacred rites of Hajj after months of preparation and anticipation.
Saudi Arabia announced that the annual pilgrimage will begin on June 4 upon the sighting of the Dhul-Hijjah crescent moon.
This year, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat (Awqaf) approved a total of 6,228 UAE pilgrims for the 1446 AH / 2025 AD Hajj season, in accordance with the quota allocated by Saudi authorities.
A significant 91% of the pilgrims are performing Hajj for the first time, while the rest include “mahrams”, companions, and supervisors from the UAE Hajj Affairs Office.
The registration process for UAE residents was conducted between September 19 and 30, 2024, via the official Awqaf smart app and website.
To be eligible, applicants had to be UAE citizens aged 12 or older and not have performed Hajj in the last five seasons.
Priority was given to those who had never performed Hajj, especially people of determination, the elderly, and individuals with chronic conditions.
Licensed tour operators in the UAE began preparations at the start of the year, with growing interest from eligible pilgrims until the final list was announced on February 5.
“Our pilgrims arrived in Makkah between May 28 and June 1,” Faisal Raheem, operations manager at a licensed Hajj and Umrah operator in Abu Dhabi, told Aletihad.
“After settling in, they performed Umrah right away. Now, they’re resting, attending educational sessions, and preparing mentally and spiritually for the days ahead.”
Peaceful and Surreal
Abdullah, a 34-year-old Emirati pilgrim who is performing Hajj for the first time described his experience in Makkah as “surreal”.
“I’m now spending as much time as I can praying and making du’a,” he said. “The heat is tough, but the spirit here makes you forget the discomfort,” he told Aletihad.
Aisha Al Hammadi, a 41-year-old teacher from Sharjah, noted the importance of both physical and spiritual readiness ahead of the pilgrimage.
“I started preparing months ago,” she told Aletihad. “I attended workshops, listened to lectures online, and walked daily to build stamina. But the most important part was preparing my heart and making peace with people.”
Hamda, 25, is attending the pilgrimage with her father, sister, and aunt.
“It feels so surreal seeing this many people gather in one spot to worship Allah,” she told Aletihad. “Although the place is very packed, the peacefulness of these great days is overwhelming.”
Hajj Guide
Hajj packages from the UAE are priced between Dh27,000 and Dh55,000, depending on hotel category, duration of stay, and proximity to the holy sites, according to Heba Ahmad, an agent at a licensed tour operator in Abu Dhabi.
These packages include flights, accommodation, local transportation, and logistical support.
“Our team arrives a day or two early to make sure everything is in place,” Ahmad told Aletihad. “We also have staff who accompany the groups throughout the pilgrimage.”
Pilgrims are encouraged to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Twajudi” service to ensure easy communication and receive assistance in case of an emergency.
Additionally, 62 supervisory personnel from the UAE Hajj Affairs Office are on the ground to oversee the delivery of top-quality services, adherence to health guidelines, and proper performance of religious rites.
