Amid the ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Haj pilgrimage at the holy city of Makkah has been restricted to residents of Saudi Arabia only for the second year. With this decision, only 60,000 pilgrims will be able to perform the pilgrimage this year.

Speaking with the media, UAE's residents recalled performing Haj at the holy city before the pandemic outbreak. They counted their blessings to have performed prayers at the Haj Pilgrimage during normal circumstances before the COVID-19 pandemic when there were no social distancing norms and mandatory face mask rules.

Dubai resident Mohammed visited the holy city with his parents, wife, and sister’s family. He said: “To me, it’s unimaginable that Haj is performed by a few thousand people."

Indian expat Sonia Salim and her husband, who live in Ras Al Khaimah, were among the last pilgrims to experience Haj before the pandemic.

“Every time I see any update on the Haj pilgrimage, I am thankful to Allah for inviting me to perform the pilgrimage in 2019. We did not have any fear of not mixing with the crowd. It was a great feeling to perform haj amidst a crowd of various other cultures,” she said.

While Sonia had planned for Haj in 2020, her mother advised her to perform it in 2019 instead, which increased her beliefs amid the prevailing circumstances. “Everything fell in place. If I have not gone in 2019, I would have been disappointed as the situation is completely different from pre-COVID times," she added.

Dr Mohamed Shafeeq, internal medicine specialist at Dubai’s Medeor Hospital, expressed gratitude to be able to do the pilgrimage with his wife before the pandemic hit the world.

“The feeling of performing Haj in a space of cultural diversity is a feeling that cannot be expressed. I am really thankful to the Almighty for keeping me in the last batch to perform Haj in pre-pandemic times,” Dr Shafeeq said.

One of the main doctrines of Islam includes ensuring the safety of all people. In line with these doctrines, it is important to handle deadly epidemics with precautions to ensure public safety and contain the spread of the virus across both Muslim and non-Muslim countries.

“If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place," the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said. This saying is the right approach to manage epidemics.

UAE residents have noted that after the pandemic and stringent safety protocols, pre-Covid and post-Covid Haj may not be the same.

“The rush, the spiritual and public unity in performing rituals...that was special. Though there was crowding, people really cooperated with each other in helping the other perform rituals. There, we were all brothers and sisters in the truest sense...despite being from different corners of the globe,” Mohammed said.

Sonia stated that the cultural diversity helped her in connecting with her Muslim brothers and sisters living across the world. However, with social distancing and other safety measures in place, the profound connection could be missing during the pilgrimage, she added.

Performing haj is one of the most unique and important experiences for all pilgrims to cleanse their body and the soul. Now, UAE residents are looking forward to betterment in the COVID-19 situation in order to perform the pilgrimage next year.

“I hope and pray that Haj is open for devotees around the world as it was held pre covid times,” said Dr Shafeeq.

“You can go only if Allah wills it for you," Mohammed has affirmed that Haj is a spiritual call.

He added that Saudi Arabia has implemented the right measures to limit the number of pilgrims as the COVID-19 situation is still grim.

"This way, the blessed Haj is not cancelled and pilgrims remain safe," he said.

Agreed with Mohammed's statement, Sonia said: “At these unprecedented times, pray to your lord to invite you to the holy masjids and perform Haj. Your mind has to be in sync with the body and when the time is right, Allah will surely invite the blessed believers.”

“Your niyyath (intent) will get you there eventually, Allah willing. Either way, it’s all for khair (good). Remain patient and believe in His divine will," Mohammed said for those who are raring to perform Haj in the coming time.