From Surrey to the Sacred Cities: -Vancouver Muslims Fulfill Lifelong Dream of Hajj
5-26-2026
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For many Muslims across the Lower Mainland, the journey of Hajj is more than international travel — it is the fulfillment of a lifelong spiritual dream. This year, dozens of pilgrims from Vancouver and Surrey joined millions of Muslims from around the world in Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj season, carrying with them prayers, hopes, and months of preparation.
The first group of Vancouver-area pilgrims travelling with Ayesha Hajj and Umrah Services Canada began arriving in Saudi Arabia on May 18, marking the official start of their sacred pilgrimage. Despite widespread concerns surrounding flight disruptions and regional tensions linked to ongoing Middle East conflicts, all pilgrims from the group arrived safely in the Kingdom.
The Vancouver contingent formed part of a larger international delegation organized by Ayesha Hajj and Umrah Services Global, which brought together approximately 120 pilgrims from Canada, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Of those, 20 men and women travelled from the Vancouver region.
For several Surrey brothers — including Ilyas, Shammer, and Riyaz — the journey began many months earlier.
Their preparation officially started in October when they attended the first Hajj seminar hosted at the Fiji Islamic Centre in Surrey. The seminar was led by Imam Tasleem, Mufti Zaeem, and veteran Hajj organizer Haji Aiyaaz, who serves as the local representative for Ayesha Hajj and Umrah Services Global.
Following the seminar, the brothers dedicated countless hours to learning the rituals and responsibilities associated with the pilgrimage.
“They prepared mentally, spiritually, and emotionally for this journey,” said Haji Aiyaaz. “Hajj is not simply a trip. It is a transformation.”
Brother Ilyas described the importance of having local guidance and in-person educational sessions before departure.
“Having seminars in person and access to a local representative really helped me prepare mentally and spiritually,” he said before departing for Saudi Arabia.
The educational sessions covered everything from the practical steps of wearing the ihram and reciting essential duas to understanding the deep historical and spiritual significance of the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
Organizers emphasized that preparation for Hajj extends far beyond logistics.
“For anyone preparing to perform Hajj, it is an incredibly exciting time but also a moment of great spiritual importance,” Haji Aiyaaz explained. “For many Muslims, going for the first time can truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is a sacred obligation required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime, provided they are financially, physically, and emotionally capable of undertaking the pilgrimage.
Yet those who have completed the journey often describe it as both deeply rewarding and intensely demanding.
“The Hajj is a test of patience and temperament,” said Aiyaaz. “It is a spiritual, emotional, and physical challenge. But it offers Muslims the opportunity to refresh their spiritual selves, cleanse themselves of sins, and draw closer to Allah.”
As the pilgrims joined millions gathered in the holy cities, families back home in British Columbia followed their journey through prayers, photos, and messages sent across time zones.
For Vancouver’s Hajjis, the pilgrimage represented not only the completion of a sacred duty, but also a powerful reminder of unity — Muslims from every race, language, and country standing together in worship.
Ayesha Hajj and Umrah Services Canada announced that additional Hajj seminars will be held across the Lower Mainland later this fall to help educate and prepare future pilgrims for upcoming seasons.
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