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29 March 2024

3,000 pilgrims return via Abu Dhabi airport

Published
By WAM

Abu Dhabi International Airport, on the last day of the Eid Al-Adha, received 3,000 pilgrims who had returned home onboard eight flights inbound from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia after finalising the Haj (Major Pilgrimage) in the Holy Lands.

The flights are operated by Etihad Airways, Saudia Airlines and private carries.

According to the senior vice-president of airports operations at Abu Dhabi Airports Company, all the necessary arrangements were made by governmental and non-governmental agencies were made to ensure a seamless flow of pilgrims at the airport.

Three special points were allocated for returning pilgrims to easily pick up their Zamzam water along with their baggage.

Abu Dhabi Airport is expected to receive between eight and nine scheduled and non-scheduled inbound Haj flights from Saudi Arabia.

The official said that a full-fledged plan involving all agencies operating at the airport has been put to action to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims to the holy shrines and back home again.

Meanwhile, pilgrims from the UAE and other Muslim nations performed the symbolic devil stoning rituals for the third consecutive day on Thursday, despite heavy rains that lashed both Makkah and Mina.

Right from the morning, thick clouds engulfed the massive stoning site in Mina, five kilometers to the east of Makkah, while strong winds blew as scores of pilgrims walked defiantly to perform the rituals.

Members of the UAE Hajj Mission took necessary precautions to guarantee safe arrival at the stoning facility and the rituals were carried out smoothly during and after rains.

Due to downpour, few pilgrims failed to leave Mina before dusk and were consequently unable to complete the stoning. They will have to stay back in Mina for another day before performing the rituals.

Saudi Heath Minister Dr Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said on Thursday this year's pilgrimage has been free of communicable diseases.

Saudi English language Arab News quoted the minister as saying: "This is one of the big fruits of the constant directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to provide the best possible health care services to the guests of Allah, the pilgrims, and the visitors of His sacred house in Makkah."

Al-Rabeeah said this information was based the reports received from various health committees, including statistical data and other relevant information pertaining to precautionary measures taken by the Ministry of Health. He attributed a strict surveillance process at all ports of entry of pilgrims, arriving by air, land or sea that proved effective in preventing entry of infectious diseases into the Kingdom.

Remote digital monitoring cameras at all health care facilities helped in monitoring for any potential outbreaks, he added.

"In addition to all that the involvement of King Abdullah Medical City, this year, in providing fourth level health care services to pilgrims such as complex cardiac treatment and surgery in addition to other types of very specialised and rare medical services," the minister said.