How to go for Hajj from Dubai – A handy guide
Hajj, one of the key pillars of the Muslim faith, takes place once a year and requires meticulous planning and budgeting. After a long break due to the pandemic, Saudi Arabia opened its doors to pilgrims from across the globe. So, if you are planning to go for Hajj, you should be aware of the visa application process, documents required and other related procedures. Read on as we outline the steps to make your Hajj trip from the UAE as smooth as possible.
WHAT IS HAJJ?
Hajj is the obligatory Islamic pilgrimage observed by Muslims in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and must be performed by Muslims at least once in a lifetime if they are physically and financially capable. The journey is meant to help Muslims cleanse their soul and strengthen their relationship with The Almighty.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A HAJJ PILGRIMAGE?
Muslims have to perform seven rituals over three to five days to complete the pilgrimage. The entire Hajj journey includes the following:
- Tawaf – This is the first step of Hajj. After changing into the Ihram or the Hajj clothes, Muslims must circle the Holy Kaaba in Mecca seven times, in a counter-clockwise direction.
- Say’i – After completing the tawaf of the Holy Kaaba, the pilgrim must walk seven times between the two hills, Safa and Marwa. The walk between these hills represents the journey that the Prophet Ibrahim’s (PBUH) wife Hajira embarked upon in search of water for her young son – Ismail.
- Departure to Mina – Following the tawaf and say’i, pilgrims travel to Mina, where they camp overnight in tents.
- Prayers at Mount Arafat – On the second day of Hajj, pilgrims wake up at dawn and travel to Mount Arafat to perform ‘Wuquf’. Pilgrims spend the day on the mountain praying for forgiveness and wellbeing.
- Muzdalifah – After a day of praying at the Arafat Mountain, devotees head to Muzdalifah to offer the prayers at sunset (Maghrib) and night (Isha) prayers. Pilgrims stay in makeshift tents at Muzdalifah for the night and collect pebbles for the next stage of the Hajj, Ramy al-Jamarat.
- Ramy al-Jamarat – For this Hajj ritual, pilgrims return to Mina for the stoning of the devil. Pilgrims must throw seven pebbles at a stone monument called the Jamrat Al Aqabah. It is a ritual that symbolises resisting the temptation of the devil.
- Eid Al Adha – The last step of the Hajj pilgrimage is the sacrifice of an animal. Pilgrims can complete this step by purchasing vouchers which signify that an animal was sacrificed in their name.
After completing these rituals, men are encouraged to completely shave their heads. Women are usually required only to cut a small lock of hair.
The final step in the Hajj pilgrimage is to head back to Mecca to circle the Kabaa and walk between Safa and Marwah. Pilgrims also drink Holy Water from the spring of Zamzam.
HAJJ 2022 DATES
The Hajj pilgrimage is celebrated between the eighth and thirteenth days of Dhu al-Hijjah – the last month of the Islamic calendar. According to the Georgian Calendar, the Hajj 2022 date is expected to begin on the 7th of July 2022.
Please remember that the date for Hajj 2022 is subject to moon sighting.
HOW TO GO FOR HAJJ FROM DUBAI?
As per the UAE Government, anyone who wishes to go for the pilgrimage must go through a licensed Hajj tour operator. These tour operators are responsible for obtaining a Hajj visa or Hajj permit and arranging transport and accommodation for the pilgrims.
So, the first step to planning a Hajj from Dubai is selecting a Hajj tour operator.
OBTAINING THE HAJJ VISA/PERMIT FROM DUBAI
Each country has a specific quota of pilgrims that can go for Hajj. If you want to go on the pilgrimage, you need to start the application process for the Hajj visa/permit and apply for a Saudi visa from Dubai. This is usually taken care of by your Hajj tour operator in Dubai.
The UAE government has set special criteria for applications in 2022.
- Applicants must be under 65 and haven’t observed Hajj before
- Must be fully vaccinated, including the booster shot
HAJJ FROM DUBAI FOR EXPATS
Due to the limited quota, the UAE no longer issues Hajj permits to expat residents. Muslim expats interested in performing Hajj must obtain a permit from their respective countries. However, you can still get a Hajj visa from Dubai for pilgrimage. The Hajj permit for expats only allows entrance to the holy cities of Medina and Mecca. Keep in mind that it would not be valid for any other city in Saudi Arabia.
HAJJ FOR GCC EXPATRIATES
GCC nationals don’t need to apply for a Hajj visa as they get visas on arrival in KSA. Instead, they need to obtain an official Hajj permit. This permit entitles GGC Nationals to ‘express Hajj’ packages offered by Hajj tour operators in the UAE.
HAJJ FOR UAE NATIONALS
The registrations are no longer open for the Hajj pilgrimage in 2022. However, willing devotees can register for the permit via licensed operators. You can check the licensed operator’s list via the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf). Registrations for Hajj 2023 will open in January.
Once you register, the Awqaf personnel will assess your application for eligibility and issue the Hajj permit. After you receive your Hajj permit, you can select your Hajj tour package in Dubai.
You should also bear in mind that due to the ongoing pandemic, there will be strict guidelines for performing Hajj, COVID-19 vaccinations, booster shots and a negative PCR test result. These checks are to ensure the safety of all pilgrims and staff.
SELECTING YOUR HAJJ TOUR PACKAGE FROM DUBAI
There are many ways to travel for Hajj. Depending on your budget, you can go for Hajj by air, bus or car.
By air: The flight time is approximately three hours if you are travelling for Hajj from Dubai.
You can arrive at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah or the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madina.
By bus or car: GCC nationals and expat residents in the UAE can enter KSA for Hajj by bus or car if they travel in a group with a tour operator.
Several Hajj tour operators offer Hajj packages from Dubai by bus. Hajj tour operators in Dubai usually categorise them by luxury or economy packages.
The Hajj and Umrah ministry has announced three packages for 2022.
- Al Abraj package – AED 14,426 per pilgrim
- Developed Camps package – AED 12,767 per individual.
- Normal Camps package – AED 10,022 per person.
FAQs
WHAT DOCUMENTS DO YOU NEED FOR A HAJJ VISA?
Here are some of the documents that you need for a Hajj visa. You will need to provide these to the Hajj tour operators in Dubai:
- Original passport with six-month validity. For expats, the UAE residence visa must have a three-month validity.
- A copy of the passport
- A copy of your Emirates ID
- Passport photos with a white background
- Mahram Letter (the proof of kinship from an accompanying male relative) only applies to women below the age of 45. Women above the age of 45 can travel with a Hajj tour operator without needing a Mahram, provided they submit a no-objection letter from their husband, son or brother authorising them to travel for Hajj with the group.
WHAT IS THE COST OF HAJJ FROM DUBAI?
The cost to perform Hajj from Dubai will depend on the days you intend to stay and the type of package you opt for.
Please remember that you can only opt for Hajj packages from Dubai 2022 offered by Awqaf-approved Hajj tour operators in the emirate.
CAN YOU LIST SOME LICENSED HAJJ TOUR OPERATORS IN DUBAI?
Some of the Hajj tour operators in Dubai you can contact include:
- Regal Tours Dubai: +971-4-2635-888 | +971-50-8474-794
- Al Hamar Hajj & Umrah Services Dubai: +971-4-396-7711
- Abdullah Bin Karam Hajj & Umrah Travels: +971-4-228-8575
- Al Reayah Hajj & Umrah Dubai: +971-4 -252-3130 | +971-55-971-1146
HOW CAN I GET A HAJJ VISA IN DUBAI?
You are only eligible for a Hajj visa if you have a Hajj permit from your home country. Hajj visas are issued by the KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah from mid-Shawwal to the 25th of Dhu Al Qadah.
HOW LONG ARE THE HAJJ VISAS FROM DUBAI VALID FOR?
Hajj visas are usually valid until the 15th of Muharram. Please note that visitors on Hajj visas can only visit Makkah and Medina.
CAN YOU SEEK SPONSORSHIP FOR THE PILGRIMAGE?
Some charitable organisations organise free Hajj for UAE nationals. People eligible for free Hajj from Dubai include:
- The elderly
- Widowed women
- Divorced women
- Those whose Hajj application was rejected in the previous year
These individuals must also meet the following conditions of free Hajj:
- Should not be over 40
- Should not have previously performed Hajj
- Cannot afford the Hajj trip from Dubai
Interested candidates can apply to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE embassies overseas or any of the following organisations:
- Abu Dhabi Rehabilitation Centre
- Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation
- The Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation
And that completes our guide on how to plan a Hajj trip from Dubai. We hope you found this article helpful.
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