UAE: 87-year-old grandmother among over 6,000 pilgrims selected for Hajj this year
Umm Hana is an 87 year old pilgrim who describes attending the Emirates Pilgrims Forum as emotionally stirring. She was one of the lucky 6,228 pilgrims selected by the UAE this year to perform Hajj. For her, this moment feels ‘heaven sent’.
Umm Hana describes her journey to Hajj as a ‘decade long struggle’ revolving around family, health, and life’s unexpected events. Always wanting to go the Hajj, she was never able to attend due to some predetermined circumstances. This year however felt different, when she contemplated her circumstances, she states “It was God calling”.
Umm Hana attended the forum that took place in Al Bateen attended by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments. The Emirates Pilgrims Forum was created in support of the country’s pilgrims with the intention of making their experience spiritually fulfilling and their travel easier.
Umm Hana is quoted as saying during the forum, “I thought my age would keep me from completing this pillar of Islam. As a senior, I was worried I wouldn’t have the energy.” She proceeds to explain that “But everything they’ve done for us, the way they’ve cared for us, it has been seamless and smooth. Everyone has been helpful. It’s made me feel ready.”
Hana is among the Emirati leaders who make up the official UAE delegation. They were provided with 6228 Hajj slots by Saudi authorities for the year 1446 AH 2025 AD (Hajj 1446/2025). The contingent, ranging from young adults to elderly citizens, is representative of the broad spectrum of Emirati society, all attuned to a common her spiritual yearning.
An Early Dream
For many, one of the earliest dreams is the Hajj pilgrimage. 23-year-old Sultan Abdullah, a resident of Sharjah, was also attending the forum, waiting to go for his first pilgrimage. “It’s a beautiful feeling,” he said. “I was a little bit anxious before today, but coming here and getting all the lectures and being prepped in every way helped me a lot mentally. Now I am eager to embark on this journey.”
Sultan said that the forum opened up his eyes to the real essence of the pilgrimage. “Sometimes we really do take our faith for granted,” Sultan said. “But this experience has opened my eyes that Hajj is more than a journey, it is a journey of introspection and transformation.”
With the aim of providing an all-around and holistic experience of Hajj, the forum seeks to raise awareness among pilgrims regarding the rituals, improve health and organizational services, as well as foster collaboration through institutional partnerships. Moreover, it works on the streamlining the entire process starting from permit issuance, through travel management, to ensuring that all components, both spiritual and mental, are ready to embark on the pilgrimage.
Another pilgrim, Al Suwaidi from Al Ain, expressed visiting Arafat and performing Hajj is her lifelong dream. “It was always my desire to walk in the steps of the Prophet (PBUH), to view Arafat and thrust the stones. There was always a distance,” she said. “Now that I’m finally preparing for it, it seems every prayer has been answered.”
“Knowledge, preparation, and faith blend together in the spirit of the Emirates Pilgrims Forum which unites us,” an authority representative said.
Attendees also received the 'UAE Hajj Care Pack' which contains, among others, a new design compacted Quran for convenience use during the rituals. The pack, a generous donation by the head of state Sheikh Mohammed, represents the country’s commitment towards the welfare of the people.
'Interactive Digital Hajj Package' was another important highlight of the event. It is a single digital platform for the UAE 효 resides which directs them through the five stages of the entire trip from registration to getting back home. The platform allows the use of digital ID for registration, selecting their Hajj campaign together with necessary health and educational workshops prior to travel.
The electronic signing of contracts and the issuance of Hajj permits is facilitated as well. It assists with real-time travel, accommodation, transportation, and religious programme updates during the pilgrimage. After completing the journey, pilgrims are sent a congratulatory message, along with an accessible feedback survey, and the chance to participate in charitable endowment projects, promoting continued giving and community spirit.
To provide wheelchair pilgrims with answers to their questions and for any religious instructions, there were scholars from the Emirates Fatwa Council.
This reveals the strong bond Emiratis hold to this sacred obligation, as more than 60,000 citizens had registered themselves for the 2025 Hajj season in October.
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