Millions Eager to Embark on Hajj Pilgrimage: Record-Breaking Registrations Soar

The UAE's General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments received around 72,000 applications for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage through its digital platforms, but only 6,228 spots are available. The authority is now reviewing applications and will contact successful candidates by phone to complete their registration process.

Registration closed on October 9, 2025, through the authority's smart app and website. Now comes the tough part - selecting who gets to go from nearly 12 times more applicants than available spots.

Saudi Arabia sets the quota for each country based on population and other factors. For the UAE, that number is 6,228 pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj season in 1447 AH (2026). The selection process follows UAE Cabinet Decision No. 32 from 2018, which governs Hajj and Umrah regulations.

The authority says it will call successful applicants on their registered phone numbers. Those who get approval need to stick to the deadlines for completing their paperwork - missing these could mean losing their spot.

This early timeline gives everyone breathing room. Pilgrims can prepare properly, and service providers can plan better logistics. The UAE authority wants everything sorted well before the actual pilgrimage begins, which helps avoid the last-minute scrambles that sometimes happen with such large-scale religious events.

The Hajj remains one of the world's largest annual gatherings, with millions of Muslims traveling to Saudi Arabia. Countries manage demand through quota systems since the holy sites can only handle so many people safely. For many Muslims, getting selected represents years of waiting and saving for this once-in-a-lifetime religious obligation.