Smooth Hajj season for UAE, other pilgrims

Makkah, 16 Nov. 2010 (WAM) Members of the UAE Hajj mission joined millions of Muslims from around the globe yesterday in scaling Mount Arafat, in congregation for Arafa Day - the prime ritual of Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage.

This main rite of Hajj took members of the Hajj mission and UAE pilgrims out of Makkah to the plain of Arafat, about 10 miles to the east, where they spent the afternoon of the day which comes next to Tarwiya day, spent in Mina.

The pilgrims stopped in Muzdalifah en route to Makkah, where they performed the circumambulation around Kaaba in the holy mosque, Islam's most sacred site, before heading back to Mina and symbolically stoning the devil in a new three-storey facility that has eliminated crowding and minimised the risk of stampedes.

Over 3.5 million Muslims did the same rites at the same time in a very smooth manner, thanks to the impressive facilities offered by the Saudi authorities to the pilgrims, including the partially inaugurated Hajj train which made its debut run yesterday, ferrying large numbers of pilgrims between the holy sites.

The UAE Hajj mission's head preacher Sheikh Talib Al Al Marri highlighted the importance of Arafa day which precedes Eidul Adha. He also expressed gratitude to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and General H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for extending unlimited support to mission and to the pilgrims from the UAE.

He spoke about the rewards the dusty, humble and faithful pilgrims were to get on that day. "The Prophet of Allah, Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) had stated that: Verily, Allah boasts the people of Arafah to the dwellers of the heavens telling them; Look at my slaves - they have come to me uncombed and dusty."Meanwhile, the mission started distribution of free meals to the pilgrims for the soul of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Dr Mohammed Matar Al Kaabi, Director General of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs & Awqaf (GAIAA) praised the support given to the mission by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and General H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

He said the mission had spotted few violations by the Hajj operators and promptly took necessary steps to address them.

"Most of the pilgrims' complaints centre on crowded accommodations. The concerned committees at the Hajj mission provide the suitable alternative places to them.

Asked about the spiraling costs of pilgrimage from the UAE this year, he said the GAIAA had discussed the matter with the Hajj operators whose justifications, according to him were "very convincing." "Air fares rise during Hajj season to an average of AED 4,500 for an economy class ticket. During the same season, costs of transport, accommodation and meals also go up, resulting in a very low profit margin for operators. However, some operators charge exaggerated fees that could amount to AED 70,000 per person which does not make sense," he added.

Head of the mission Mohammed Obaid Al Mazrouei expressed thanks to Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

Al Mazrouei affirmed that all UAE pilgrims are safe and in good health condition.

Muzamil