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UAE Ambassador approves of Emirati camps ahead of 2025 Hajj pilgrimage

UAE Ambassador approves of Emirati camps ahead of 2025 Hajj pilgrimage

ARN News Center30-05-2025
UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Saif Al Nahyan inspected the final preparations for the Emirati pilgrims' camps in the holy sites of Mina and Arafat ahead of the 2025 Hajj season, expressing full confidence in the provision of comfort and safety.
The UAE Hajj Committee oversees the preparation of camps in Mina and Arafat, with round-the-clock monitoring to ensure the readiness of facilities and services- including housing and healthcare- in accordance with the standards approved by the UAE Hajj Affairs Office.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage is observed annually during the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, worshipers are expected to head to Saudi Arabia to perform the holy rites between June 4 and 9.
The UAE Ambassador was accompanied during the tour by His Excellency Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Derei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat and Chairman of the UAE Pilgrims' Affairs Office; His Excellency Nasser bin Huwaiden Al Ketbi, UAE Consul General in Jeddah; His Excellency Ahmed Rashid Al Neyadi, Director General of the Authority and Deputy Chairman of the Hajj Affairs Office, and a number of officials.
His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Saif Al Nahyan affirmed his full confidence in the capabilities of the field teams to provide integrated services, praising the efforts to ensure the highest levels of comfort and safety for UAE pilgrims throughout their stay in the holy sites, with the support of the UAE's wise leadership. He also praised the efforts of the Kingdom and its wise leadership.
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