It began when Sophia Sarah Addas posed a straightforward question to a cleaning lady at her fitness club: "If you had all the money in the world, what would you do?" Khadija, the cleaning lady, replied, "I would go for Umrah." Moved by Khadija's sincere response, the Saudi expat and her family decided to make her dream come true by arranging an all-expenses-paid Umrah trip via air.
This experience profoundly affected Khadija and sparked an idea in Sophia. Inspired by Khadija's story in April 2023, Sophia launched the 'U4LW' initiative to send other labor workers on Umrah trips starting in April 2024. By August 3, the initiative had sent five buses, each carrying 49 laborers, with the sixth bus departing on Saturday. So far, 211 blue-collar workers from Dubai have had the opportunity to perform Umrah through Sophia's initiative.
As the founder of Umrah4LaborWorkers and Director of Deloitte Middle East, Sophia recognized that these hardworking individuals often lacked the means to fulfill this significant religious duty. She believes that providing them with the opportunity to perform Umrah could profoundly impact their lives and faith. Her initiative quickly gained traction, and she began reaching out to other workers, offering them the chance to embark on this life-changing journey.
The response was overwhelming, with workers from various backgrounds and industries expressing their immense gratitude and excitement. Many of the workers chosen for the initiative were deeply moved and appreciative. Muhammad Rafique, a machine operator, said, "Thanks to Allah for this blessed and wonderful experience of my whole life... to go to Makkah and perform Umrah." Similarly, Muhammad Faizan, an electrician, shared, "The time we spent in Makkah and Madinah, we will remember for the rest of our lives." Anwar Jubair, a Careem driver, expressed, "I am very happy you have fulfilled the greatest desire of my heart."
The Umrah pilgrimage, lasting eight days with two nights in Madinah and three nights in Makkah, is a life-changing experience for many. The 24-hour bus journey allows workers to bond and prepare spiritually for the journey ahead. The initiative has not only fulfilled the spiritual dreams of blue-collar workers but has also transformed their lives. Sophia told Khaleej Times, "The reaction is ecstatic. For only Dh1,500, their dream comes true. They guide and encourage other workers during the process, and the amount of duas (prayers) they send to our team is unmeasurable."
Despite her full-time job, Sophia is constantly thinking of ways to improve her initiative. "I want to expand and make more people's dreams come true," she said. Hence, the buses to Umrah always depart on Saturdays—Sophia's day off—as she dedicates this day to ensuring the operation goes smoothly. The criteria for the Umrah program are those who have never performed the pilgrimage before and have a salary between Dh2,000 - Dh2,500. In 2024, the program sent 163 labor workers from April 14 to May 15. Sophia aspires to send 1 million blue-collar workers to Umrah. Umrah4LaborWorkers is also planning to send a bus for female workers once they have enough applicants. The package, which costs Dh1,500 per person, is provided by the initiative's platform to anyone willing to gift an Umrah package to a labor worker. This covers visa processing, medical insurance, transportation, accommodation, meals, Ihram clothing, and the guidance of experienced Umrah guides.
