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Umrah
humble_muslim
06/26/01 at 11:40:04
AA Now that I've got the tickets, the visas, etc... I am happy to announce that Inshallah I am leaving for Umrah next Monday, July 2nd!  I will be going with my whole family Inshallah.  Needless to say, I am really looking forward to it.
NS

Re: Umrah
BroHanif
06/26/01 at 12:38:53
A.W.W. May Allah make it easy for you, make dua for us all. And may Allah accept your deed. Ameen. Make sure you and your family have  suncream, umbrella and above all make sure you drink plenty of fruits and fluids, its in the 40's over there. Enjoy it, salaam Hanif

Re: Umrah
Mahmoodah
06/26/01 at 13:41:11
salam enjoy n make dua 4 all:-) wa-salam

Re: Umrah
Arsalan
06/26/01 at 14:25:44
[slm] Subhan Allah, humble muslim, that's awesome news!!! :) May Allah make the Umrah easy for you and accept it from you.  Please make du'aa for this brother of yours!  That Allah gives me whatever is best.  In this life and the next.  And that He gives me the opportunity to visit His Sacred House soon.  Jazaak Allaahu Khairan. There's plenty of good advice in the Tree of Hope folder (check old threads) for people making Umrah, make sure you check it out before you go. Wassalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.

Re: Umrah
AbdulBasir
06/26/01 at 17:26:08
[slm] Alhamdulillah, wonderful to hear you have this blessed opportunity. Please make du'a for all of us! Given that you are leaving in a few days, you no doubt are completely prepared for this occasion and are in no need for advice but feel free to ask any of us, particularly ;-) (BrKhalid) for he is truly a tremendous resource on this subject. And inshallah when you come back (that is if you still want to come back ;) I hope you will join us in calling for the reinstitution of the Road to Makkah forum which has long been overdue. ;) [slm] :)

Re: Umrah
amatullah
06/26/01 at 18:02:29
Bismillah and salam, This is the dua' we supposed to say for the person who is travelling: astawdi3u Allaha deenika, wa amanataka, wa khawateema 3amalik. Zawwadaka Allahu Ataqwa, wa ghafara thanbaka, wa yassara laka alkhayr 7aythu ma kunta. Please please make dua for us. The dua of the traveller is accepted (mustajab) insha'Allah.

Re: Umrah
Lisha
06/26/01 at 20:02:40
slm, Alhamdulilla:) Don't 4get to make dua 4 us all. W'salaam

Re: Umrah
BrKhalid
06/27/01 at 06:35:21
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) Alhamdulillah that's wonderful news ;-) Remember us all in your dua's whilst you're there, and may Allah make it easy for you and your family. Out of interest how long is the flight from the States to Jeddah?

Re: Umrah
Zara
06/27/01 at 09:34:02
[quote]AA Now that I've got the tickets, the visas, etc... I am happy to announce that Inshallah I am leaving for Umrah next Monday, July 2nd!  I will be going with my whole family Inshallah.  Needless to say, I am really looking forward to it.[/quote] wlm may allah ta'ala make it a profound experience for you - insha'allah. remember us in your dua's. one question, how did you deal with the condition of pre-booking in to a hotel before departure as set by Saudi Arabia officials.  I have older members of the family who are finding the condition difficult beacuse what if the hotel assigned to them is at a distance form the mosque.  It will be hard for them to make the walk five times a day in order to offer their salat on time... slm Zara

Re: Umrah
humble_muslim
06/27/01 at 11:00:29
AA Thank you all for your kind words. Inshallah I'll make dua for all of you. Khalid, Flight from US to Jeddah is 11 hours non-stop. Zara, it took me a LONG time to get this thing fully booked.  First of all, you need to find an APPROVED travel agent in the US.  Secondly, that agent has to find an APPROVED agent in Saudi, who themselves select the hotels.  So this makes the hotel price more expensive than if you were doing it yourself.  Alhamodlillah, I found hotels in both Makkah and Madinah which are close to Haram.  But I had to pay about $150 a night (2 adults, a kids) for them.
NS

Re: Umrah
bhaloo
06/27/01 at 16:52:27
slm Mubarak, and as Kashif would say, where is the mithai? ;) Insha'Allah, you'll have to share your experience when you get back. :)   I didn't know they had direct flights to Jeddah from the US. ??? So how does one find an approved travel agent?  Have you read any books before hand so you know what to do?  I've always been curious about the hotel situation there and which ones are ok.

Re: Umrah
AbdulBasir
06/27/01 at 17:09:02
[slm] Saudia has direct non-stop flights from the US to Jeddah. I don't believe any other airlines provide that service. The other airlines like Egypt Air, Royal Jordanian etc will make a stop with a possible transfer along the way. During Hajj season, Saudia does the most awesome thing in that they have direct flights from the US to [i]Madinah[/i]!. And during Umrah season if you fly Saudia to Jeddah they used to give you flights from Jeddah to Medina and back for free. Not sure if they still do that though. [slm]

Re: Umrah
BroHanif
06/27/01 at 19:10:48
A.W.W. I think the new Saudia Law on going for Umrah are creating REAL problems for the Ummah. As brother humble_muslim put it, you need an approved travel agent to authorise your tickets, visa and hotel. I think this is a real stinker, seriously. I know people who have spent so little to do umrah buy staying in a hotel which is away from the haraam, away from the so called 5 star or approved hotel accomodation. And now they have to spend big bucks. [quote]But I had to pay about $150 a night (2 adults, a kids) for them. [/quote] $150 a night is daylight robbery, I know people who have stayed in hotels nx to the harram for 10 to 30 riyals a night, and no the hotels are not bugs infested, they are decent. Where you staying bro at the Hilton...??? Man that is so pricey. I don't know whos behind this, but it means that from the UK you can only go through two travel agents...! Yes thats right TWO, so what are these people going to do ??? take advantage and raise the price of the hotel and of course take a bigger cut in their commision. That is just taking the bread out of the mouth, I really don't know what else to say, I'm really frustrated and really angry. I feel sorry for all those people from the sub-continent, africa and really all those people who can't afford an 'approved travel agent' in turn it means less people going for Umrah. astagfirullah. Government approved Umrahs have already stopped in places like Egypt. Seriously people, wirte to your Saudia embassys in your country, do a petition at mosque and at Dawah circles, make people aware of the scale of the problem and tell the Saudia Visa and Umrah custodians that its not up to u to decide our accomodation, visa and length of stay, its up to Allah. No matter who they are, the right of Umrah is a basic right of the Muslim Ummah and we the undersigned will not bear testimony to this ludicrous law. Salaams

Re: Umrah
meraj
06/28/01 at 13:53:44
slm, have a fun, safe, rewarding trip inshallah... please keep us in your duaas, and may Allah accept your prayers and duaas inshallah. ameen :)

Re: Umrah
amatullah
06/28/01 at 14:13:57
Bismillah and salam, borther hanif baraka Allahu feek. Something has to be done. and I just don't know if they care in our countries about petions. I mean when shaihk ahmad Qattan from Kuwait recently stopped from doing the khutbas for defending Aqsa basically, the petion didn't lift the ban unfortunately. What might be other means to change this oppression?

Re: Umrah
taueeya
06/29/01 at 05:12:00
Assalamu Alaikum,         Mabrook ya akhi! May Allah help u in performing the Umrah, the best way and accept it, InshaAllah, Ameen! Please make some special du'a for the whole Ummah as its special need of time and make du'a for this brother also, InshaAllah. WAssalam

Re: Umrah
BrKhalid
06/29/01 at 06:03:43
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) Just a few Umrah thoughts of mine to bring up my 800th post!!!! ;-) [quote]Saudia has direct non-stop flights from the US to Jeddah. I don't believe any other airlines provide that service. The other airlines like Egypt Air, Royal Jordanian etc will make a stop with a possible transfer along the way. During Hajj season, Saudia does the most awesome thing in that they have direct flights from the US to Madinah!. And during Umrah season if you fly Saudia to Jeddah they used to give you flights [/quote] In my opinion the new aircraft fleet that Saudia have invested in make them the only option to go with if cost is not an issue. Like Br Abdul Basir says a direct flight to Madinah during Hajj time is awesome especially if you are going to Madinah first before Makkah. Plus it’s a really beautiful little airport and the drive in to the city is amazing ;-) [quote]$150 a night is daylight robbery, I know people who have stayed in hotels next to the Haram for 10 to 30 riyals a night, and no the hotels are not bugs infested, they are decent. Where you staying bro at the Hilton[/quote] Yeah that does sound a touch pricey. Last time I went, we stayed just behind the Hilton in a little hotel. Virtually same distance to the Haram at a fraction of the cost!!!! Usually all the hotels are cheaper during the Umrah season as compared to Hajj because of the lesser numbers. Having said that though, the Hilton complex in Makkah has the most awesome air conditioning!!! I'm sure the others who have been would agree if they've been!!!! Plus it has a pretty lively shopping arcade that includes the infamous Bin Dawood Store!!!! My number one tip for Umrah would be to rest between Zuhr and Asr. Its so hot that you virtually can't do a thing without tiring yourself out!!! Plus if you want to kiss the Black Stone, go to the Haram at 1 or 2am. In my experience there is usually an orderly queue at that time by the side of Kaabah and if you're patient, inshaAllah, you will achieve your goal. Okay enough reminiscing from me. I just wish I was going!!!!

Re: Umrah
AbdulBasir
06/29/01 at 07:36:11
[quote]Having said that though, the Hilton complex in Makkah has the most awesome air conditioning!!! I'm sure the others who have been would agree if they've been!!!! Plus it has a pretty lively shopping arcade that includes the infamous Bin Dawood Store!!!![/quote] [slm] Hmm, I guess I'd agree with you there BrKhalid, but by the same token, a lot of places there have awesome air conditioning no? Anytime you're getting out of severe heat, anything slightly cool will feel good! But yeah, the Hilton complex is a comfortable place to walk around. There are some decent stores other than Bin Dawood as well, but it's a bit expensive. One thing though about the air conditioning, they go overboard with it and that's partly how people get sick, especially visitors. People come in and out from the high heat automatically to these frigid indoors and you get sick. [quote]My number one tip for Umrah would be to rest between Zuhr and Asr. Its so hot that you virtually can't do a thing without tiring yourself out!!! Plus if you want to kiss the Black Stone, go to the Haram at 1 or 2am. In my experience there is usually an orderly queue at that time by the side of Kaabah and if you're patient, inshaAllah, you will achieve your goal.[/quote] Don't forget also that the stores are closed during the siesta hours, so there's not much else do other than rest! When you go for Umrah in July it's not a bad idea to do your sleeping during the day and enjoy the night. I might disagree with you about the Black Stone a bit. Realize everyone out there is thinking the same thing, so everyone goes at night. It's been my experience that these days more and more people are trying to "beat the crowd" and are in Haram during the night between Isha and Fajr. That being said though, especially since July isn't yet peak Umrah season, you can manage still to somewhat get to the Black Stone wihtout to much trouble in the wee hours of the night. But you wanna really touch the Black Stone, during July, you go during the [i]hottest[/i] and sunniest part of the day, just before Zuhr or also between Zuhr and Asr. It is really hot at that time of day as we all can imagine, even the locals during this time seek cover and when people even pray Zuhr you will see most of the courtyard surrounding the Kabah empty since everyone prays in the shade. Now this is not something for the lighthearted! You have to be physically prepared for it. It wouldn't be medically recommended either, especially if you're not good at keeping hydrated and even so heat exhaustion can be a problem,particularly for those not used to the heat. But if you want to do it, and can do it, give it a shot. Because at that hour, it is SO hot and SO sunny (you will be literally blinded by the sunlight because since hardly no one is in the courtyard area the sunlight will reflect off the marble and blind you) that most people won't dare venture out there for much time. But those who do, ah, well, let's just say it will be you, and the Kaaba and only literally a handful of other (crazy?) brothers and sisters. [quote]Okay enough reminiscing from me. I just wish I was going!!!! [/quote] Ditto :) [slm]

Re: Umrah
humble_muslim
06/29/01 at 08:13:57
AA I just found out that my favorite Qari, Sheikh Hudhafi, is back in Madinah.  That is awesome, Alhamdoillah!  Both myself and my seven year old daughter use his CD's to learn our Surahs and tajweed.  Wonder if I get a chance to meet him ? The hotel I'm staying at in Makkah is the Makkah Towers.  Don't know much about it except that it's facing the Haram. I'm actually paying 1040 per adult for the Saudi flight, which is pretty good. Kids are 75%. As far as ibadah is concerned, I'm planning to do ALL the stuff during the night, and catch up on sleep during the day Inshallah. One question for y'all out there : when you go on Saudia, they tell you when the meeqat is reached.  How soon before the flight touches down in Jeddah is this ? Again, jazak Allah everyone for the kind words and advice.
NS

Re: Umrah
AbdulBasir
06/29/01 at 16:42:42
[slm] Yes Hudhaifi is back in Madina. I too was thrilled to hear him (much to my surprise) earlier this year. He was only doing one salah a day, but maybe they changed his schedule and you can hear him more inshallah! In regards to flying over the miqat. Just one advice. Change into your ihram BEFORE they announce that they are approaching the miqat, because they tend to announce very late, i.e just as you are at the miqat itself. That way you will have time to change (remember that this is an airplane with only a few lavatories and you don't want to be having to miss the ihram because of waiting in line) before you reach the miqat and you can make sure you are in the state of complete ihram before you actually reach the miqat. As to your question, if I remember time wise you reach the miqat within in an hour of arrival in Jeddah but I might be mistaken. Only once have I gone to Meccah first and that was some time ago. Perhaps the other brothers/sisters can verify? May Allah accept your Umrah! [slm] :)

Re: Umrah
eleanor
06/30/01 at 08:10:54
slm I hope it's a wonderful experience for you Brother! Insha Allah when you come back you'll share some of your experiences with us. Sadly my Umrah plans have fallen through. My parents in law can't get a visa from Germany. (they are visiting here for three months). Their german visa has to be valid for at least six months and they have to go out from Germany and come back to Germany. We had thought that they could stop at Saudi Arabia on their trip back to Pakistan. We got the names and addresses of two approved travel agents from the Saudi Arabian Embassy. They sent them out with the application forms. And said that we had to book through them. So they'll probably go back to Pakistan and make Umrah later in the year Insha Allah. Then I'll hang on until the time comes for my husband and I to go together. wasalaam eleanor

Re: Umrah
humble_muslim
06/30/01 at 15:14:03
AA Sister Eleanor, I'm sorry to hear about your plans falling thru.  It's always been a beauracratic nightmare, and now it's even worse.  It's taken me many years to get to the pint where I can go with all my family.  So my advice to you is to try and do it as soon as you can, before it gets even harder.
NS

Re: Umrah
Anonymous
06/30/01 at 22:27:25
Bismillah, These new Saudi laws are really worrying. Why have they done something like this, whats the reason behind it all? Before, people going to umrah just used to catch a taxi from Jeddah all the way to Mecca, book into the nearest hotel to the Haram and boom, there you have it! But now with pilgrims being assigned pre-designated hotels which could be quite a distance is extremely worrying for elder people under hot temperatures. This would be a good idea for a update in the Hajj/Umrah section at Jannah and someone to give a summary in this thread on the new laws, how they effect pilgrims and what to expect in general. ie. how soon in advance do we have to go to the travel agent etc.

Re: Umrah
humble_muslim
07/01/01 at 12:48:10
AA As far as making dua for y'all is concerned, I will make a collective dua for everyone on the board.  If anyone wants me to make a SPECIFIC dua for them, just let me know.
NS
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