The UAE’s official pilgrimage mission took off from the Abu Dhabi International Airport towards Saudi Arabia to fulfil its mission of serving the nation's pilgrims in the holy lands, such as by supervising their movements, housing and other affairs in Mecca and Medina.

This would include setting up tents for them to rest and preparing the plans for their transport to Mena and Arafa, and organising other such tasks that would facilitate the UAE pilgrimage, in co-ordination with the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Mohammed Matar Al Kaabi, Chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments and head of the official pilgrimage mission, has directed the members of the mission to perform their duties with loyalty and devotion, and to be model ambassadors by working round-the-clock to reach out to all the pilgrims from the UAE, check on them and assure them of the attention being paid by the wise leadership of the UAE, so that they perform their pilgrimage correctly, as per the tenets of Islam.

"As we leave the nation now, we pray for the health and wellness of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his brother His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates. We wish them more success in fulfilling their goals for the progress and prosperity of the UAE, and for the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to rest in peace, as well as the UAE martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

He added that the pilgrimage season highlighted the people's desire to co-operate and co-exist peacefully, and expressed hope that stability and peace would spread in the Arab and the Islamic world, as well as in the other regions of the world, and that the pilgrimage would serve as a civilised message, reflecting peace and security, to all.

Al Kaabi stressed that the mission was travelling to Saudi Arabia, and it appreciated the Saudi leadership and its people for all the facilities they provide to the pilgrims, who come from across the world.

He also highlighted the special links between the leaderships and the people of both countries throughout history.