Wasta used in bestowal of Haj permits, says FNC member

ABU DHABI // Personal connections, known locally as wasta, should not be used to secure permits to perform Haj, the Federal National Council heard.

Applications by some Emiratis were rejected with “no good reason” given, according to one member, who said wasta has been used too often to get permission to visit Mecca.

The debate at a late-night Ramadan session on Tuesday came at a time when the Haj process is undergoing change, as Saudi Arabia attempts to deal with millions of pilgrims every year.

Dubai representative Marwan bin Ghalita questioned the head of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs & Endowments and raised complaints from constituents whose applications were rejected.

“Some people have used wasta to get their applications approved,” Mr bin Ghalita said.

“I received calls from people who applied to perform Haj the first time, but their applications were rejected. Yet others have been going every year to Haj and they were still approved.”

Dr Mohammed Al Kaabi, the head of the authority, told members this year priority was given to first-time pilgrims.

A new electronic system is being used to handle applications, he said. The quota was also expanded to allow 6,228 to perform the pilgrimage this year, up from 4,631 last year.

Mr bin Ghalita said about twice as many women are allowed to travel as men, but families are often not able to go together.

“Today most people go for Haj as a family, so they should be linked in the system,” he said.

The electronic system still needs to be monitored, he said. “I hope there won’t be unfair special treatment for certain people.”

Dr Al Kaabi said the system will soon ensure that people cannot go several years in a row. His department has started receiving applications for Haj 2018 and 2019. About 40,000 people from the UAE applied to perform the pilgrimage, but the UAE quota this year is just more than 6,000.

In April, authorities said expats in the UAE would no longer be able to apply for places from this country, in line with a request from Saudi authorities.