Haj pilgrimage to cost 15% more this year

Rising rents and bus fares in Saudi Arabia has pushed up the cost of performing Haj by 10 – 15 per cent, Haj operators in the UAE said.

The rising costs in the hospitality and transport sectors means that cost of a quick Haj (Al Haj Al Sarea)  pilgrimage that includes performing rituals in Mina and Makkah ranges from Dh27,500 to Dh31,000 while a comprehensive pilgrimage (al Haj Al Shamel) with rituals in Makkah and Madinah would cost anything above Dh37,000.

Haj operators told Emirates 24|7 that even pilgrims who join the Haj camps in Mina for Haj Al Iltihak ranges from Dh14,000 to Dh21,000.

However, the VIP packages for Haj pilgrimage starts from Dh100,000 and goes up to Dh500,000. But in these packages, pilgrims are provided with services like private jets, hotel suites, top restaurants, private buses and separate facilities for ladies to participate in the ritual of Ramy al Jamarrat (stoning the devil).

The cost of performing Haj Al Badal, done on behalf of a deceased person, ranges from Dh2,500, depending on the operator.

Haj operators attributed the significant difference in their tariffs for the various packages to the service they offer. Factors such as the quality of accommodation, locations of camps at the holy places, transport and meals dictate the tariffs.

Wasim Razaz director of Al Suwaidi sons for Hajj and Umrah Services charges Dh27,500 for a quick Haj, up from last year’s tariff of Dh25,000. But he terms it as the best price in the market this year.

He said it was the rising accommodation and transport costs that forced them to hike the rates. Airline tickets alone cost between Dh4,500 and Dh5,500.

While a tent was available on rent in Mina for Dh12,000 eleven years ago, the rate went up to Dh56,000 last year. It now stands at around Dh80,000, he said.

Mohammed Hamdi head of al-Sidra Haj operator said “the price of comprehensive Haj (al Haj Al Shamel) is about Dh37.000 whereas it was Dh30.000 last year.”

His company charges Dh31,000 for quick Haj (Al Haj Al Sarea), up from Dh24,000 last year. The Dh14,000 charged for Haj Al Iltihak is however the same as last year’s.

He said cost of a room in Makkah now ranges from Dh30,000 to Dh42,000 without any meals. The demolition of a number of hotels as part of the expansion of the holy places is also causing a major shortage of hotel rooms, he said.

Unlike last year, when fears of swine flu had affected pilgrim numbers, he said the total would be much higher this year.

UAE monitors operators

The 153 registered Haj operators in the UAE had taken 6228 pilgrims for Haj last year. They are monitored by the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments.

An inspector of the body visits the locations set by the operators to examine the accommodation they offer pilgrims. This is done to ensure what is made available is what the pilgrims pay for.

Any violations are immediately dealt with and operators are fined between Dh50,000 to Dh100,000 even in the event of their representatives not accompanying pilgrims booked with them or in case of any shortage in meals provided.

Operators could lose their permits in cases of more serious violations.

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