Huge rush of residents to go on Umrah

Abu Dhabi: There has been a huge rush among residents in the capital to undertake Umrah this Ramadan, said an official from the Islamic authority. According to the official from the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment (Awqaf), many pilgrims preferred not to undertake the optional pilgrimage last Ramadan because of the threat of contracting H1N1 flu.

"There is a huge rush this year because many people preferred not to go last Ramadan due to the risk of swine flu," the official told Gulf News.

Umrah, which can be undertaken by Muslims at any time of the year unlike Haj (the obligatory pilgrimage), is often known as the ‘lesser' pilgrimage because it is optional. Many people prefer to perform Umrah during Ramadan.

When contacted, travel agents in the capital confirmed that a large number of people had applied to go for Umrah. Many said the number of pilgrims was twice the number of people who had gone for the pilgrimage in 2009.

Ali Abdullah, owner of Al Ameen Haj and Umrah, told Gulf News that 1,000 people were going for Umrah through his agency.

"Last year, only about 350 people chose to go," Abdullah said.

Jamal Lataifi, assistant manager of Al Marwa for Haj and Umrah, also said that his agency had seen a huge demand for Umrah this year.

"We sent only 400 people last Ramadan because the risk of swine flu had reduced the demand. This year, we are sending about a 1,000 people," Lataifi said.

Lataifi also added that the period to apply for Umrah was now closed for non-GCC residents, who require visas to travel to Saudi Arabia.