1st batch of pilgrims reaches Saudi, more on the way – Khaleej Times

A total of 6,528 Haj permits were issued by the UAE this year.

As the first batch of Haj pilgrims from the UAE took off to the holy land on Wednesday, more people are busy with the preparations.

Rajja Tariq, a Pak national, who will be travelling soon, is nervous and excited about her Haj. “As it is my first Haj, I’m really excited and also nervous.

Initially, I started preparing with basic stuff – clothes, toiletries, shoes etc. Both my husband and I started brisk walking as it will help ease the long journey. Listening to Haj lectures and reading spiritual books have also helped me a lot. With few more days left, I am preparing myself spiritually as the rest will be fine. I am making a planner for all the prayers and hoping to utilise every moment in proper faith,” she said.

Sameer Saeed, Indian national, flew to Jeddah and then Madinah with his wife on humanitarian account and is hoping to do the pilgrimage. “My wife’s mother fell down and had a leg fracture. I applied for visa at the Saudi Consulate in the UAE and we were granted visa to help her. I am still unsure of whether I will be able to perform Haj, yet being able to travel for medical emergency is absolutely great. The spiritual atmosphere in Madinah is overwhelming. I was totally unprepared, but Allah’s plan is always the best,” he said. 

A total of 6,528 Haj permits were issued by the UAE this year. The Dubai International Airport (DXB) will be catering to the majority of the pilgrims from the UAE with Madinah, Jeddah and Taif airports as ports of entry.

UAE-based airlines Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia, along with FlyNas and Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), have facilitated enough seats to meet the demand of the pilgrims from the local market. Emirates has an additional 46 flights operating until August 22. Similarly, Etihad Airways deployed 15 extra flights till August 25 between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. It will also operate six charter flights dedicated to the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Zayed Foundation and the Abu Dhabi Police.

Irshad A.Khan, manager sales and marketing, UAE & Oman, Saudi Arabian Airlines, said: “Saudia has added 17 planes to its 165-aircraft fleet to help transport 1.2 million domestic and foreign pilgrims from approximately 100 destinations for the upcoming Hajj season, the airline has announced.”

According to Saudia, the number of pilgrims it expects to transport this year has risen by about 10 per cent when compared to 2018. It is working closely with Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to ensure that Hajj pilgrims will be able to conduct their voyage smoothly and comfortably. The airline has extended a number of services to pilgrims, including the issuance of arrival and departure boarding passes before their travel date

Medical advisory

Rise in the number of travellers makes health and hygiene a top area of concern and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has issued guidelines for the same. The Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) has urged pilgrims to take a mandatory vaccine at least 15 days before leaving the UAE. Pilgrims are being advised to obtain a valid international certificate of vaccination before starting their journey. 

Dr Badria Al Harmi, director of public health protection department at the DHA, said: “All pilgrims with chronic diseases should understand their care plan from their physician before they embark on the pilgrimage. Sometimes, the doctor may recommend a change in dosage medication depending on the current medical status so it’s always best to seek medical consultation before the pilgrimage.” 

Dr Zulekha Daud, Founder and Chairperson, Zulekha Healthcare Group, said: “I extend my heartiest congratulations to all pilgrims in Hajj this year. It is definitely the most desired accomplishment in one’s lifetime as a Muslim. We applaud the efforts of the authorities in KSA in ensuring extreme safety, ease of commute and security of the visitors during this magnificent religious ceremony. It will be highly beneficial if each of the visitors also takes proper care and maintains good hygiene to help themselves as well as the fellow-pilgrims. May Almighty bless all and accept our prayers and sacrifices this Eid-Al-Adha.” – reporters@khaleejtimes.com

1.3m arrive in Saudi Arabia

The number of pilgrims who have so far arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform Haj stood at 1,336,426 pilgrims, according to statistics issued by the Saudi General Directorate of Passports on Thursday.

The Directorate said that the number of pilgrims arriving by air stood at 1,245,303 pilgrims, by land 76,199 pilgrims and 14,924 pilgrims by the sea. Meanwhile, King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah has conducted more than 163 operations, including 160 cardiac catheterisations.

– Wam

ERROR: Macro /ads/dfp-ad-article-new is missing!