Things You Need to Know Before Travelling to Umrah
You’ve decided to go on your first Umrah pilgrimage, and you couldn’t be more excited. First, let me add that every Umrah travel is enriching, gratifying, and profoundly emotional in its own special manner, and then I’ll give some reflections from my personal experience. It’s likely that you’ll have picked up some knowledge about your destination from friends, family, and the internet before setting off on your adventure. However, you should know that no amount of preparation will ever be enough for a trip to the Holy Land. To really believe it, you must experience it for yourself. You can always check in to the Umrah packages including flights.
1. Increase Your Physical Stamina
You’ll be doing a lot of walking throughout Umrah, which might be exhausting for your body. So fasten your Fitbit because you’re in for a treat. You will be doing a lot of walking in Makkah: walking to and from the Holy Mosque (Masjidil Haram) for every Fardhu (prayer), walking while performing the tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba), walking while performing the sa’i (ritual walking), walking while locating various shops and vendors inside the Holy Mosque, and walking yet again while purchasing mementoes.
The Sa’i between the elevations of Safa and Marwah is around 2.8 kilometres, while the Tawaf may be anywhere from 1.4 km to 4.1 km in length, depending on the audience and the floor on which it is performed. If you leave Singapore with just one suitcase and a carry-on, know that it will “give birth” to many more suitcases before you return home. It proceeds without stating that you will be lugging all this additional stuff around with you between the airports in Makkah, Madinah, and Singapore.
Although hiring a personal trainer specifically for the Umrah is not required, it is recommended that you increase your fitness levels and stamina in advance. Do begin taking long walks while window browsing around the neighbourhood. Both you and the person who is paying for your groceries will get some practice with deep breathing and sabr (patience).
2. Vaccinate Your Kids
Getting immunized is an important part of getting ready to conduct Umrah. The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia maintains a careful eye on the health needs of the approximately 2 million Muslims who annually visit the Holy Land to ensure the prevention of contagious illnesses. Some vaccinations, like the one for meningococcal disease or illness, are required in order to complete the Umrah, while others are just suggested. No, the BCG shot you got in elementary school doesn’t count.
Please note that the following vaccinations manufactured by Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech Comirnaty, Johnson & Johnson, and Oxford/AstraZeneca must be fully administered before you may go for Umrah. A coronavirus (COVID-19) test result of a sample obtained within 72 hours after departure to the kingdom must also be submitted.
3. Wear Weather-Appropriate Clothing
Please remember to write down the precise departure time for your Umrah journey. If you’re travelling in the “summer,” pack light; if you’re going in the “winter,” pack heavy. May through October sees temperatures between 28 and 45 degrees Celsius, whereas December through February sees temperatures between 17 and 33 degrees Celsius. It is important to find the correct sort of ihram for the appropriate season.
Buy a pair of shoes that fits well and is comfy. Unless you plan on wearing them in, new shoes aren’t a wise investment. If you don’t already own a pair of shoes that are comfortable for walking or exercising in, you should do so well in advance. While in Ihram, male worshippers must keep their ankles and the front of their feet uncovered. This is why it’s best to wear something flat and comfy, like sandals or slippers. These will be much simpler to hold in your hands and are perfect for use on the way to and from the mosque.
4. Necessities
These will make your trip more pleasant and practical. Unscented soaps, moisturising lotions, and moist tissues are some examples of general supplies that should always be on hand. If you’re too lazy to return to the ablution area, a bottle of spray will do the trick. Exactly where is this secluded place to wash up? It’s a long distance beyond the mosque’s the outside door. An acceptable walk, but only if you haven’t already reached your daily step goal.
A hand-cranked fan (kipas satay) or other portable fans may do wonders for relieving the oppressive heat. If you’re concerned about keeping your equipment running smoothly, don’t forget to include a portable phone charger and an international power adaptor. You’ll be inconsolable with all your high-tech devices if they can’t be charged unless, of course, they run on solar power. On the plus side, you now have an abundance of paperweights at your disposal. Finally, before leaving, every traveller should make sure they are medically ready. Experiencing an illness or injury while on vacation may cause a great deal of stress and disruption to your plans. You should always have on hand a standard first aid kit with items to treat common medical emergencies, such as allergies, discomfort, diarrhoea, and stomachaches.
Most standard medications are available at local pharmacies. However, you may not always be able to obtain your exact brand. Sometimes these prescriptions are written in languages you don’t understand, adding to the difficulty of reading them. If your phone is charged, Google Translate is a great tool.
5. Thinking Ahead – Anticipate a Little Language Barrier
Good to learn that some locals can communicate with you in English or Malay. Since they’ve travelled and seen so many various cultures, they also speak a plethora of other languages.
Cheap pricing, high quality, buy buy! This is what you’ll hear merchants shouting in Malay at the marketplaces. Time and time again, beaming the biggest grins possible each time. It will be enough to communicate your essential message, but if you need to ask for directions, it’s best to do it with many individuals. Also, there will be several possibilities to see the famous “chicken talking to duck” phenomenon. Get into the spirit of things, and don’t forget to wave and grin when it’s all over.
6. Embrace Cultural Diversity
Get ready for a deeper dive into the culture of the Arab world. Nighttime is when they really come alive, particularly in the colder months, so they slumber during the day. Because of this, a lot of stores close early in the afternoon. Retailers keep later hours over the weekend, which occurs every Friday and Saturday. Even while waiting in lines is second nature to us, it’s possible that this idea may flop over the pond. You may count on waiting in lines and experiencing some pushing and shoving throughout your visit. Don’t lose it; instead, react politely and focus on why you’re there. Allah is all-seeing, and He repays our good deeds with His favour. Are you, by any chance, planning on visiting Jerusalem following your Umrah? Here’s the story of one of our writers’ enlightening trips to the Holy Land.
7. Trying Out the Arabic Food
Try new things and broaden your horizons and tastes by sampling the local cuisine and beverages. Arabic coffee comes in a range of flavours and is often paired with sweet dates or delicious desserts. Later, many types of tea would be offered, each chosen to complement the current season. It’s common to practise using a little cup for serving this beverage, so there is no need to be astonished by that. There’s no trace of gloominess here. They consider it a privilege to serve guests numerous times so that they may savour each sip of a beverage served at the perfect temperature. Thus, the quicker you finish that beverage, the more quickly they will replenish it. It’s like drinking from a “magic cup” that never runs dry!
