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Returning Haj pilgrims given warm welcome

Haj and Umrah Committee expedites arrival procedures

Spiritually rejuvenated, Haj pilgrims from the UAE started flocking back to the country late on Friday.

The first batch was received late on October 18 at the Dubai International Airport Terminal-3 for Emirates Airlines pilgrims and Terminal-1 for Saudi Airlines.

The Haj and Umrah Committee at the Dubai International Airport was fully geared up to receive the pilgrims with flowers, perfumes, sweets and gifts and expedite their arrival procedures and baggage clearance.

Majid Sultan Al Jukar, chairman of the committee, told Khaleej Times on Saturday that as many as 3,500 out of 4,500 Emirati pilgrims had returned from the pilgrimage, all on additional flights.

The Haj committee receiving pilgrims at the Dubai International Airport with roses, sweets and juices. — Supplied photo

“The remaining 1,000 pilgrims are expected to arrive soon on the Emirates, Saudi, and Nas airlines.” Abdullah Al Najjar, deputy chairman of the committee, said the eight additional flights have nothing to do with the scheduled flights. Khalid Hussain, team leader, said the 45-member committee included 15 officials from the Dubai Police, Residency and Customs departments, and 25 volunteers.

“They are doing their best to give the returning pilgrims a warm reception. Medical teams with doctors, nurses, wheelchairs and ambulances are on hand and special counters, baggage carousel, Zamzam water collection areas, and parking spaces are specified for pilgrims and their relatives.

“It took us very little time for the arrival procedures, from the time the plane landed to collecting baggage and exiting. What an exceptional reception,” said Mohammed A., a UAE pilgrim.

Nasser Al Suhail said the UAE Haj mission has not spared any effort to provide the best services. “The mission made sure that all the UAE pilgrims received the best and highest quality food, water, medical, insurance, transport and supply services all along the pilgrimage days,” he said.

Umm Abdullah said the official inspection teams were closely monitoring all Haj pilgrims and seeing to their needs particularly food and transport, in both holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. “A team was also formed at the Jeddah international airport, KSA, to complete all departure procedures in a smooth manner,” he said. The UAE official Haj mission had called for a decrease in the number of the pilgrims from the country this season, and hence there was a reduction by 1,246 people.

Mohammed Obaid Al Mazrouie, Executive Director of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Awqaf, said the move was in observance to the recent regulation issued by Saudi authorities to reduce the numbers of pilgrims this year due to the ongoing developments in the Grand Holy Mosque in the holy city. “The number of Haj pilgrims had decreased from 6,228 in 2012 to 4,982 this year.”

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com