ABU DHABI // Emiratis are paying more to go on Haj than other Arabian Gulf citizens “because they are getting the best services”, the FNC heard on Tuesday.
But Ahmed Al Amash, a member from Ras Al Khaimah, said costs of up to Dh50,000 were deterring many from performing the pilgrimage.
Dr Mohammed Al Kaabi, chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment, said prices were high because the UAE offered the best Haj packages in line with the country’s status.
Mr Al Amash disagreed: “The cost of Haj in other countries is less and they have better accommodations in Mina.”
He said the restrictions on travel agents led to the high costs.
Mr Al Amash said one condition, requiring five-star hotel accommodation in Mecca, was not cost effective because of the rise in hotel prices in the Haj season and as the stay was only two days.
He said that focus should be shifted to the tent accommodations provided in Mina, the pilgrims’ second stop after Mecca, which he described as poor.
The location of the UAE tent in Mina requires a difficult walk to Jamrat and pilgrims must take two train rides to get there, which is a challenge for older citizens.
He said the female tent entrance was in front of that to the male tent, reducing its privacy.
“The tents do not suit the UAE, which is always exceptional,” Mr Al Amash said.
Dr Al Kaabi asked the member to send all of his remarks to the authority, which would provide a detailed response.
He said prices were high because they included plane tickets, the most expensive in the Gulf. Efforts had been made to bring costs down in talks with airlines, but to no avail.
“As for all the transport and accommodations, we always seek to provide the best services in the UAE, which is the best in the entire world,” Dr Al Kaabi said.
“I can assure you of that. We cannot give the best for free.”
He said cheaper packages available in other Gulf countries did not provide tents in Mina.
“As for the five-star hotels, if I could put Emiratis in seven-star hotels I would, and I would pay for them.”
The Mina tent’s location was assigned to the UAE and was considered a prime spot because it was so close to the train station.
Mr Al Amash also asked why there was a limit on the number of pilgrims the UAE could send.
Last year the country sent about 4,700, but another Gulf country sent 20,000.
Dr Al Kaabi said Saudi Arabia determined how many pilgrims each country could send, based on the ratio of nationals to expatriates in the country.
He said Saudi Arabia had been asked several times to increase the UAE’s quota but was told that if that were to happen, other countries would also want more.
osalem@thenational.ae