A Dubai resident helped hundreds of workers perform Umrah free of charge this year to ensure nobody was priced out of completing the spiritual journey.
Sophia Addas, a director at Deloitte Middle East, was inspired to launch a community campaign after talking to a cleaner last year who said it was her dream to travel to Makkah for Umrah if money was no object.
It led her to team up with family and friends to pay for the woman's trip and set her on a path to help 400 more UAE workers to travel from Dubai to Saudi Arabia since April.
“The woman, Khadija, started crying and told me that she would love to go for Umrah. Her answer sparked the idea of helping workers to perform Umrah,” Ms Addas said. “I arranged for an Umrah trip for her, and she came back very happy. It is a spiritual journey,” she said.
Driving up support
Ms Addas has since established a company – called Umrah 4 Labour Workers – where those who have never been on the Umrah pilgrimage can apply for free visits to Makkah and the city of Madinah. Organisations and individuals are invited to donate the Dh1,500 cost of the package.
Umrah can be performed at any time of the year – apart from when the Hajj pilgrimage is observed – and while not deemed compulsory, is a cherished cornerstone of the Islamic faith for millions.
“My target is to send one million workers to Umrah,” said Ms Addas, who is from Saudi Arabia and has lived in Dubai since 2021. “The feedback was incredible. I wanted to give back to the community. It’s a rewarding feeling because we owe so much to the people around us.”
She found that it typically costs Dh4,500 to perform Umrah, including travel costs from the Emirates. However, she contacted the Al Suwaigh Umrah company in Saudi Arabia which told her she could send 49 workers in a bus for between Dh1,100 and Dh1,500 each for one week.
“The price includes everything from the visa, insurance, transportation, food and accommodation,” she said. “Many people wanted to buy Umrah packages and send the workers. I became the connection point between the workers, Umrah company and people.”
Nine convoys carrying 401 workers have set off for Saudi Arabia since April as part of a growing initiative. “We have 1,500 workers on the waiting list now. Bus number 10 will be departing in November,” she said.
High demand
“Individuals can buy Umrah package for workers. Companies can also come to us and book a bus to send their workers to Umrah.”
Workers can apply on the company's website in several languages and should have a valid Emirates ID and passport. They must have never performed Umrah before. Ms Addas sets up WhatsApp groups for each group of pilgrims and welcomes them back with flowers.
“I feel those workers are my little brothers. Providing them with the opportunity to perform Umrah could have a huge impact on their lives and faith,” she said.
Dreams come true
Mohammed Asad, 27 and from Pakistan, works as an office boy. He said he could not believe it when he was told he could perform Umrah free of charge.
“Performing Umrah is my best dream. I was thrilled when I went to Umrah thanks to Sophia. She is a good person and made my lifelong dream come true,” Mr Asad told The National.
“I really loved the way they guided me throughout the trip. I’m grateful to have the opportunity. Any worker who can’t afford to go to Umrah should submit a request to fulfil the dream. I’m grateful and hope to perform Umrah for a second time with my family who are based in Pakistan.”
Mohammed Rafique, a machine operator from Pakistan who lives in Dubai's Al Quoz district, was thrilled to make the journey to Saudi Arabia.
‘Thanks to Allah for this blessed and wonderful experience of my whole life to go Makkah and perform Umrah. I’m grateful to the team who sent us on this wonderful journey,” said Mr Rafique. “They helped us a lot to enhance and fulfil our spiritual beliefs.”
