Makkah: The official UAE Haj mission, headed by Mohammad Obaid Al Mazroui, arrived in Makkah on Monday afternoon along with other officials of the entourage ahead of the rituals of Haj.

The mission included representatives from the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf), Ministry of Health, Abu Dhabi and Dubai health authorities and Ministry of Interior.

A team of journalists from the National Media Council, and newspapers besides Abu Dhabi Radio and TV are also accompanying the delegation in addition to a number of UAE scouts.

Upon arrival at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, the mission was received by Ahmad Mohammad Mangosh, Consul General of UAE in Jeddah, Obaid Humaid Al Za’abi, Deputy Head of the Preparatory Committee, and a number of UAE Consulate’s officials.

Earlier, on board the Etihad Airways flight which carried UAE Haj mission, Al Mazroui in his remarks first extended his sincere thanks to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Their Highnesses members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates, and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for their consistent and complete support to the official delegation and all pilgrims.

Al Mazroui also accorded tributes to the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan for his kindness to those visiting the holy land, and assured UAE pilgrims of every possible help and cooperation from the Haj mission.

He also thanked Dr Hamdan Musallam Al Mazroui, Chairman of General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf), and Dr Mohammad Mattar Al Kaabi, the Awqaf’s director general for their patronage to the official Haj mission in fulfilling its duties for the welfare of the pilgrims.

Dr Farouk Hamada, Religious Advisor at the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, who is also escorting the delegation spoke on the occasion and elaborated the importance of Haj and its rituals.