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Dubai govt Haj mission approved

The department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai, on Monday, approved the official Haj mission of the government of Dubai.

Director General of the department, Dr Hamad Al Shaibani gave the nod to the names of the 70 members of the pilgrimage mission for the year 1432/2011.

“Everything is ready in Dubai and in Saudi Arabia for easing pilgrims’ sufferings,” he said.

“All the mission members are urged to fully abide by the set rules and directives, particularly health and medical instructions.”

Head of the Dubai Haj Mission, Mohammed Suhail Al Muhairi said the mission this year consists of a chairperson, deputy chairman, 11 administrative executives – including a general practitioner and a nurse, and 29 staff employees at the Islamic department who have not performed Haj before.

“The remaining 26 members of the mission are employees of different departments in the Dubai government who are to perform the 5^th pillar of Islam (Haj) for the first time.”

Mohammed Obaid Al Mazroui, Chairman of the UAE official Haj missions said that pilgrimage prices this year are reasonable compared to neighbouring countries.

“Haj rates this season, though significantly high, range from Dh16,000 to Dh70,000, yet every pilgrim is free to decide on the options and services they wish.”

Deputy Chairman of the UAE official Haj mission, Obaid Al Zaabi said the 6,228 pilgrims from the country have been distributed in a fair and balanced way among the 153 approved Haj operators across the UAE.

“Haj service providers, who may accommodate a maximum of 10 pilgrims in each tent, need to educate the pilgrims under them about the best and safest way to use the Haj Train which started operation last year,” he said. All Haj operators have been provided with an illustrative documentary film on the Haj Train.

“All pilgrims need to pay 250 Saudi Riyals to the Tawafa Establishment for South Asian Pilgrims to get a two-way ticket — which is a bracelet — to be allowed on the train from Arafat and Muzdalifa and finally to Mina, and back.”

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com