Dubai: Thousands of UAE residents are travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Haj pilgrimage, with the last of the pilgrims expected to leave early next week.

This year’s Haj quota – roughly 4,980 people from the UAE – has remained virtually unchanged from 2013.

It was reduced from 6,200 people in 2012 owing to construction at the Grand Mosque in Makkah which restricted available space for rituals.

Costs, too, are mostly unchanged, with basic Haj packages costing around Dh25,000 for Emiratis. Prices tend to be higher for expats as their Haj visa and insurance costs are greater.

This year, about 3,900 Emiratis are going on Haj from the UAE.

Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam, with Muslims expected to undertake the pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in their life, if they are physically and financially able to.

This year, Haj rites will begin around October 2 or 3, corresponding to day eight of the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hija.

The festival marking the end of Haj – Eid Al Adha – will start on October 4 or 5 (Dhu Al Hija 10).

Most pilgrims have already entered Saudi Arabia, with some 3,000 people crossing the UAE-Saudi land border in Ghuwaifat. Others are flying out, going in groups or as individuals.

Only certified Haj operators are allowed to take groups of pilgrims. There are roughly 200 operators in the UAE and each has its own pilgrim quota. Generally, only one to four spaces are allocated to expats by each operator.

Most expats now visit their home country for Haj paperwork and permits as costs have risen and quotas have fallen in the UAE for foreigners.

“I’m feeling really elated that, God willing, I will be able to perform my Haj this year. This is my first Haj and I hope I will be able to live up to the highest standards of the pilgrimage,” said Abbas Noor from Pakistan.

Noor is spending more than Dh25,000 for the entire package and will be flying to Jeddah from Dubai on September 28.

“I’m part of a group of 10 people, mostly from Pakistan, and we are travelling together next Sunday. I got my visa and other documentation done from Pakistan but I will be going from Dubai. That way I saved some money as well as time. If I buy a package from here it is almost double the amount I paid,” he added.

The packages for Haj range from anywhere between Dh25,000 and Dh75,000, operators said.

“The packages vary depending on the hotels and other facilities a person opts for. There are packages for Dh75,000 as well for Dh35,000 and it varies for expats and Emiratis,” said Obaid Allah from Baitul Mamur travel agency.

“This year we are allowed to send 23 Emiratis and only three expatriates,” added Jasem Al Beloushi, owner of Al Mulabbi Haj and Umrah operator. He said pilgrim authorities have put in place strict restrictions and penalties – any violations could result in cancellation of the trips as well.

“We are very careful not to flout the quota or violate any instructions. There are some agents who only work during Haj time and they look to maximise their profits which affects everyone,” Al Beloushi added.