Hajj 2026: UAE Launches New System Aimed At Improving Service For Pilgrims

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

A new system has been introduced in the UAE to select and accredit Hajj campaigns for the 1447H (2026) season, aimed at improving service quality and ensuring better organisation for pilgrims.

The updated framework outlines a set of standards and conditions that campaigns must meet to be approved. These include service quality, administrative capacity, financial readiness, and results from performance evaluations during the previous Hajj season (1446H / 2025).

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The move is part of wider efforts to develop the country's Hajj operations, promote competitiveness among service providers, and ensure strict adherence to official timelines and procedures.

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Campaign organisers were briefed on the new system during a coordination meeting held by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat. The authority said the system is designed to ensure services are delivered in a way that meets the expectations of UAE pilgrims, while also balancing cost and quality.

The authority added that the selection process will favour operators offering diverse service packages tailored to different categories of pilgrims.

In recent years, UAE authorities have worked to streamline Hajj campaign approvals, aligning with the quota system allocated by Saudi Arabia. Only accredited operators are allowed to organise pilgrimages, with strict compliance and evaluation mechanisms in place.

For most UAE pilgrims, joining a registered campaign is the only legal and practical way to perform Hajj. The services provided, from group coordination to spiritual guidance, can make or break their experience. This new system aims to ensure only high-performing operators are approved.

Past Hajj seasons have seen complaints from some pilgrims over disorganisation or lack of clarity in services. In response, UAE authorities have been steadily raising oversight levels, introducing digital tracking, and implementing post-Hajj performance evaluations.

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