UAE: 65% Increase in Umrah Demand Ahead of Ramadan

The UAE is witnessing a significant increase in demand for the pilgrimage as the holy month of Ramadan approaches.

According to reports, operators in the country have recorded a 65% increase in the number of pilgrims compared to previous months. To meet this increase, nearly 100 bus trips per week are now being offered by these operators to cater to the rising number of pilgrims.

“We have recorded a massive rise in the numbers of residents traveling to the holy city of Makkah for Umrah,” said Shebin Rasheed from Bait al Ateeq Haj services based in Makkah with a subsidiary office in Sharjah. The agency provides assistance to residents in the country who wish to undertake the Umrah or Haj pilgrimage.

According to Umrah operators, around 50 pilgrims are flying every week and a significant number of them are also traveling by bus to Makkah.

As per Jaffer Pulappatta, who arranges group tours for the Umrah pilgrimage, over 100 buses leave every Wednesday from different parts of the country, with each bus capable of accommodating around 50 passengers.

Umrah operators have predicted that there will be a price increase of approximately 10 to 15% during the first two weeks of Ramadan.