UAE establishes rigorous Hajj and Umrah rules, with up to Dh50,000 in fines

The following are some of the new rules for Hajj and Umrah announced by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE) on Monday in the UAE that will lead to better organization of the process as well as to guarantee the health of Emirati pilgrims.

Some of these changes include provisions concerning the organization of pilgrimage campaigns, licensing, and penalties concerning offenses committed by individuals, organizers of pilgrimage campaigns, or offices associated with such campaigns.

The amendments are as follows: to fine-tune the rules for the behavior of pilgrims and the fulfillment of Umrah, the procedures for receiving licenses for Hajj and Umrah campaigns should be brought in line with the existing legislation and the Authority’s competence.

The new rules include a fine of fifty thousand Dirhams on anyone who uses services and facilities intended for the UAE Hajj Affairs Office in Saudi Arabia or when performing the ritual without a permit from GAIAE.

New regulations also require getting a license from the Authority on activities related to the organization of hajj or Umrah trips. This includes rostering, publicizing, and seeking persons to perform hajj or Umrah, or fundraising for hajj or Umrah, all of which are unlawful without license.

The State Hajj Organ is represented in the kingdom by the UAE Hajj Affairs Office during the hajj season. It preserves the quality of services provided to the UAE pilgrims, deals with Saudi side issues about the UAE pilgrims, and supervises the companies that provide services to the pilgrims.