Though From now on, expatriates working and living in the UAE will not get permits to Perform Haj in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Also from the emirates due to stricter adherence to national quotas, officials said on Monday.
“The move means that only citizens of the UAE will be issue Haj permits to perform the pilgrimage(Perform Haj). This year and in the future,” Dr Ahmad Al Mousa, spokesman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.
Dr Al Mousa explain that the Saudi move was applicable to all countries across the world.
As such only citizens of each country will be issue Haj permits, which will count towards their country’s Haj quota.
Also Circulars issue to Haj operators in the UAE informing them of the move, Dr Al Mousa inform.
The move announce after a meeting last week between the Saudi Ministry of Haj and heads of the Haj ministries across the world to discuss Haj 2017 preparations.
Dr Al Mousa update the move could result in an increase in the cost of Haj this year. “As many as 20,000 citizens register online to obtain Haj permits this year.
And only about a third of them will be issue permits and visas to perform pilgrimage. 25% jump in pilgrims from UAE.
Dr Mohammad Matar Al Kaabi, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments said that 144 get credit Haj operators will serve the entire UAE. Pilgrims community totaling 6,228 ,a 25-per cent jump (higher by 1,246) compare to the previous season.
Dr Al Ka’abi add that, thanks to UAE leaders’ support. Haj work has seen significant improvement in addition to the development of the services offer to pilgrims by the official Haj mission.
“As a result, the UAE official Haj mission has become a role model for other missions that are seeking to benefit from its experiences.”
This year’s Haj season 1438 AH saw the registration of as many as 37,000 pilgrims. Which including 20,000 citizens through the newly launched online registration system.
Haj Packages
Packages rang between Dh14,500 for bookings at 3 and 4 star hotels, and Dh 30,000 for 5-star hotels, among other benefits.
Earlier, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs assign 81 centers across the UAE for pilgrims registration.
In January, Saudi Arabia inform it will increase Haj quotas this year. After the number of pilgrims hit a 10-year low last year.
The number of pilgrims will be gradually increase and restore to what it was five years ago, according to an official statement.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia apply a 20 percent cut in the quota for foreign pilgrims. And a 50 percent cut for domestic pilgrims, to ensure safety during the expansion of the Grand Mosque.
In 2016, 1,325,372 foreign and 537,537 domestic pilgrims perform Haj. Making a total of 1,862,909 pilgrims. This was the lowest number of pilgrims recorded in the last 10 years.
- More than 2.4 million Muslims performed the Haj pilgrimage in 2007, according to reports.
- Haj was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic conditions.
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