1996 3rd Umrah: Madinah and Makkah...

"If you can't be thankful for what you have, be thankful for what you've escaped..."

Madinah & Makkah, Saudi Arabia
(30 November - 10 December 1996)

(On the tour bus for ziarah)

(Heavy breakfast at the hotel cafe)

This was our third trip to the holy lands to perform our Umrah. We brought our three kids along. This time we joined a big group from Tabung Haji Travels and after our Umrah we will be spending a few days in Istanbul, Turkey.

(Sara, Iwan and Ja sharing a room)

(With my two boys on the bus)

(On an empty bus to Tannaim for Miqat)

(Our family daily routine for umrah)

(The two of us at Masjid Siti Aisyah)

(Miqat at Masjid Tannaim)

In Makkah we joined the group for two complimentary tours of Makkah and had the opportunity to visit historical places and attractions. While we were on the tours, we had the opportunity to miqat at Hudaibiah and Jaaranah. On other days, we took a double decker SAPTCO bus from the bus station located next to Hilton Hotel to Masjid Siti Aisyah in Tannaim and had our solat sunat ihram and niat our miqat there. 

(Sara at Jabal Rahmah on the way to Jaaranah)

Our lodging in Makkah was at Ajyad Hotel which was quite a distance away from Masjidil Haram. We will usually take the hotel shuttle to the mosque to perform Subuh prayers. After subuh, we will take the bus to Tanaim for miqat and completed our umrah before 9.00 am. The long uphill walk back to our hotel was via the main road, passing the Al-Safa Royal Palace.

(A cool afternoon at Masjidil Haram)

(Having tea and cakes after Asar prayers)

(Met some friends, while waiting for Maghrib prayers)

On the last day in Makkah, after performing our Tawaf Wida', we boarded the bus to Jeddah for our onward flight to Istanbul, Turkey.

(Ready with our luggage)

(Excited to spend their winter holidays in Istanbul)

👈 1996: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

1996: Cape Town, South Africa 👉