Haj pilgrims return to warm welcome
REMAINING PILGRIMS EXPECTED BACK OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS IN DUBAI AND ABU DHABI
The first batch of Haj pilgrims who returned to the UAE yesterday from Saudi Arabia, are welcomed by their loved ones at Dubai International Airport. The pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest sites in Saudi Arabia that ended on Thursday passed without any major incident. Some 5,000 UAE residents, mostly Emiratis, had gone on the Haj this year.
Hundreds of pilgrims from the UAE started returning home yesterday after performing the Haj in Makkah, arriving to warm welcomes from loved ones and airport officials.
In Dubai, the first return flights from the Saudi port city of Jeddah started landing after midday at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 1 and 2.
The annual pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest sites ended on Thursday. This year, almost 5,000 residents, mostly Emiratis, went on the Haj.
The pilgrimage this year passed without any major incidens. Last year, hundreds of pilgrims had died in a huge crush.
Pilgrims who arrived in Dubai yesterday said they were delighted to have successfully completed the pilgrimage and to be reunited with their families.
Many families were seen eagerly awaiting the pilgrims’ return. Many children carrying flowers rushed to greet the pilgrims as they emerged from the arrival gates.
Pilgrim Ahmad Al Mulla said: “This was my fifth Haj, and it was the best one so far. Everything was perfect. The arrangements by the Haj operator I went with, as well as by the Saudi government there, were very good. I hope to do the Haj again, God willing.”
Special arrangements
Another UAE national, Rashid Al Ali, said he was “happy to be back” after the Haj, which was his fourth.
“Everything went smoothly. The arrangements there were good.
“In Dubai, the facilities are so good for pilgrims at the airport,” Al Ali added.
First-time pilgrim Saleh Al Jabri, also Emirati, said he had a trouble-free Haj. “It was not more difficult or easier than I was expecting. Everything went well,” he added.
There were special arrangements for receiving the pilgrims in Dubai, said Mohammad Al Marzouqi, Head of the Haj Committee at Dubai International Airport.
“We are always keen to welcome back the Hajis [pilgrims], offering them sweets and flowers at a dedicated area for them. Their baggage is offloaded from dedicated belts and their Zamzam water containers [sacred water from Makkah] are kept ready for pick-up.
“What’s more, they are not charged exit fees when leaving the car park,” Al Marzouqi, who also heads baggage operations, said.
A total of around 800 pilgrims were scheduled to return yesterday on around four flights, Al Marzouqi said. More pilgrims are expected back today, with more than 2,500 in total scheduled to return through Dubai.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Airports also welcomed back pilgrims yesterday. Special arrangements were in place at Abu Dhabi International Airport, including welcome refreshments and specific arrival procedures to handle those returning with Zamzam water, and a team of Takatof volunteers were on hand to help out.
Over 700 pilgrims are expected to return via Abu Dhabi International Airport over the course of the next few days.
Pilgrims from the UAE had also been provided special fasttrack arrangements when they flew out of the country at the beginning of the month.