Airports gear up for returning Haj pilgrims

Dubai/Abu Dhabi: The first batch of UAE resident Haj pilgrims arrived in the country yesterday, with 6,500 coming to Dubai in 15 flights throughout the day which saw airport authorities rushing to make accommodations.

Dubai Airport was packed with returning pilgrims and their anxious relatives outside, who held bouquets of flowers for their loved ones returning from the pilgrimage that is required by Muslims to attend at least once in their lifetime.

The first of 15 flights arriving in Dubai yesterday reached at 8.30am and others flew in throughout the day.

Abdullah Ali, General Coordinator for Haj and Umrah at Dubai Airports, said between 6,000 and 6,500 pilgrims were expected in Dubai every day for the next four days.

He said the airport had to make special arrangements for the arriving pilgrims to accelerate their immigration and luggage procedures to "a maximum of ten minutes."

Airport authorities also greeted the pilgrims with Arabic coffee, dates, Omani halwa (sweets), Arabic musk and copies of the Quran.

Pilgrims young and old, able bodied and special needs, men and women of all strata of society were seen returning with smiles.

When Saeed Bin Hashar was asked how he felt about attending the Haj, he said: "What I notice now is that there is much more traffic now as more and more pilgrims are coming," he said.

Sixteen-year-old Naser Darwish was seen sipping coffee in a kandura and a golden baseball cap.

He shrugged when asked how he felt about going to Makkah.

"Overwhelmed, I suppose," he said. "It felt great to see the Ka'aba," he said, adding that it was upon his mother's suggestion that he went on the pilgrimage.

Ali Qasem, also a first time pilgrim, said movement was difficult during the Haj but added that "it was a part of the process and we have to be patient."

"I'm speechless, I can't describe my feelings while I was between the hands of God for the first time," an Emirati woman told Gulf News on Wednesday night after arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Bushra Ahli arrived with her family on Itihad Airways, the first flight carrying pilgrims back from Jeddah to Abu Dhabi.

With tears in their eyes, she said: "My spiritual experience was beyond my expectations."

The pilgrims finished their journey on Wednesday, after the traditional stoning in Mina, and encircling Ka'aba for the last time (Tawaf Al Wada'a).

Abu Dhabi airport started receiving pilgrims on Wednesday night and early yesterday morning more pilgrims arrived.

Jabir Sahmi, a Haj operator who has been on the Haj pilgrimage himself many times, said: "This year the trip was easier. The crowds were either less or we did not feel it because everything was well organised."

Sahmi accompanied 37 pilgrims from different nationalities for the spiritual journey.

"We hired workers to carry the elderly and ill people in wheelchairs," he said. The official Haj mission was very helpful according to him.

"They provided us with guide booklets and a toll-free number for complaints, guides and to report missing people," he said. Mohammad Saif Al Niyadi also found it a safe and easy trip.

"It was more enjoyable with the help of the official mission who helped us step-by-step from when we arrived until we left," he said.

Mohammad Al Falasi, went on Haj for the second time.

"This time it was better and well organised - I was more aware of the programme and the stoning was more organised."

Dr Mohammad Mattar Al Ka'abi, General Manager of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments told Gulf News: "This year Hajj was excellent and better the previous years as no accidents or major complaints were reported and no-one was hospitalised during Haj."

The mission cooperated with the Saudi Ministries of Health and Interior to provide pilgrims with the best services possible.

"The result of a survey to check the quality of services provided by the official mission and Haj operators will be announced within one month," he said.