Pilgrims have started to return home to the UAE after performing the first post-pandemic Hajj.
On Tuesday, nearly 850 passengers landed at Dubai Airport Terminal 1. They flew on special Hajj flights operated by Emirates and Saudia Airline.
Last year, visitors were not permitted to perform Hajj due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) made special arrangements to handle the increased number of passengers.
The returning travellers were assisted with check-out, immigration and security procedures.
Lt Gen Mohammed Al Marri, general director of GDRFA, said more pilgrims are expected to arrive on Tuesday and in the coming days.
“We instructed to finish the procedures quickly for the pilgrims. Today, we welcomed back 850 pilgrims,” he said.
Smart gates and “smart tunnels” allowed passengers to clear passport control in a couple of minutes.
“With the increasing number of passengers practically during holidays and Hajj season, using latest technologies like smart gates and tunnels helped to finish the passenger’s journey smoothly in a record time,” Lt Gen Al Marri said.
Special fast-track services were also provided to travellers when they went to Saudi Arabia at the beginning of the month.
Covid rules for people returning from Hajj
Earlier this month, the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority issued safety guidelines for the Hajj season.
People returning from Hajj are encouraged to take an optional test on arrival followed by a mandatory test on day four.
They should quarantine for seven days at home.
This year, Hajj was restricted to only those who have not performed it before and those under the age of 65.
Hajj 2022 — in pictures
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Pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba in Makkah. AP -
Hajj pilgrims at the Grand Mosque. AP -
Muslims take part in Hajj rituals at the Kaaba in Makkah. AP -
Reporters fly over the Grand Mosque. AP -
Hundreds of buses wait to carry pilgrims. AP -
A satellite image shows pilgrims circumambulating the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque. SPA -
Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA -
Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA -
Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA -
Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA -
Pilgrims walk to cast stones at a pillar in the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo -
Pilgrims walk before casting their stones. Reuters -
Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters -
Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters -
Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters -
Pilgrims walk to cast their stones. Reuters -
Hajj pilgrims collect pebbles for the stoning of the devil ritual in Muzdalifa, Saudi Arabia. EPA -
Pilgrims collect pebbles. EPA -
Pilgrims cast stones. AP -
Pilgrims cast stones. AP -
Pilgrims gather atop Mount Arafat during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP -
Pilgrims pray as they gather at Mount Arafat. EPA -
Saudi Arabia this year is allowing one million Muslims, including some 850,000 from abroad, to make the annual Hajj pilgrimage for the first time in two years. EPA -
A Saudi police helicopter patrols over Namira Mosque in Arafat. AP Photo -
Pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat. Reuters -
Pilgrims arrive on the plains of Mount Arafat. EPA -
Pilgrims climb Gebel Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) where the Prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon, as people congregate on the plains of Arafat. EPA -
Pilgrims gather atop Mount Arafat during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP -
A Muslim woman prays atop Mount Arafat. AFP -
Muslim pilgrims touch the pillar atop Mount Arafat. AFP -
Pilgrims gather to pray atop Mount Arafat. AFP -
Pilgrims walk towards the Namirah mosque near Mount Arafat. AFP -
Muslim pilgrims pray on the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy. AP Photo -
Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters -
Pilgrims pray on the Mountain of Mercy. AP -
Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters -
Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters -
Hajj pilgrims head to Mina for the day of Tarwiyah as temperatures hit 44ºC. SPA -
Pilgrims pray at the Kaaba in Makkah's Grand Mosque on the eve of the first day of Hajj. SPA -
Hajj pilgrims head to Mina for the day of Tarwiyah as temperatures hit 44ºC. SPA
