‘My Heart’s Greatest Desire’: More than 200 UAE workers embark on free Umrah pilgrimage

Sophia Sarah Addas, a Saudi expat, was inspired to launch an initiative to send labour workers on Umrah trips after hearing the heartfelt response of a cleaning lady, Khadija, at her fitness club. In April 2023, Sophia surprised Khadija with an all-expenses-paid Umrah trip, which was a transformative experience for Khadija and ignited the idea of helping other labour workers fulfill their religious obligation. Sophia launched the ‘U4LW’ initiative, starting in April 2024, to send blue-collar workers from Dubai on Umrah trips. The initiative gained momentum rapidly, with 211 workers benefiting from the opportunity to perform Umrah.
Sophia, the founder of Umrah4LaborWorkers and the Director of Deloitte Middle East, recognized the lack of means for hard-working individuals to perform Umrah. She believes that providing these workers with the opportunity to go on an Umrah trip could have a profound impact on their lives and faith. The response from the workers selected for the initiative was overwhelming, with many expressing immense gratitude and excitement for the life-changing journey they were about to embark on.
The Umrah trips, lasting eight days with two nights in Madinah and three nights in Makkah, offer workers a chance to bond and prepare themselves spiritually for the journey. The initiative not only fulfills the spiritual dreams of blue-collar workers but also transforms their lives. The cost of the package, which covers visa processing, medical insurance, transportation, accommodation, meals, Ihram clothing, and the guidance of experienced Umrah guides, is only Dh1,500 per person.
Even with her full-time job, Sophia is dedicated to expanding the initiative and making more people’s dreams come true. The buses depart for Umrah on Saturdays, Sophia’s day off, as she ensures the operation runs smoothly. The criteria for the Umrah program are workers who have never performed the pilgrimage before and have a salary between Dh2,000 – Dh2,500. In 2024, the program sent 163 labour workers from April 14 to May 15, with a goal of sending 1 million blue-collar workers to Umrah.
Umrah4LaborWorkers is planning to launch a bus for female workers once they have enough applicants. The initiative continues to make a positive impact on the lives of labour workers, providing them with an opportunity to fulfill this important religious obligation. The workers selected for the program have expressed overwhelming gratitude and appreciation for the chance to go on the Umrah trip, a journey that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Through Sophia’s dedication and the support of the initiative, many blue-collar workers have been able to experience the transformative journey of Umrah.