A traveller's reflection: 2019 14th Umrah: 01 Madinah al- Munawwarah

“All of a man’s happiness is in his being the master of his ego, while all his suffering is in his ego being his master...” - Imam Al-Ghazali

(Visiting Maqam Rasullullah after fajar prayer)

Madinah al-Munawwarah

Hotel Mawaddah Al Waha Hotel

(1 - 6 April 2019)

This year's Umrah trip we joined Andalusia Travel group to perform our Umrah and a short visit to Muscat, Oman. This is our 14th Umrah trip so far and our first time travelling with Andalusia Travel. We arrived at KLIA early and met with a biker couple, Fauzilan and CT Aminah who came to send us off.

(Jeddah Hajj Terminal)

(Hotel Mawaddah al-Waha)

Oman Air flight was on schedule. We transited at Muscat International Airport, Oman. Winner of the title "Middle East's Leading Airport 2019" at the World Travel Awards, the modern airport welcomes travellers with a serene cool calm ambience.

We arrived at the Jeddah Hajj Terminal, with its identifiable fabric roofed Bedouin tents, the culturally symbolic of the Middle East. Oman Air is served by the Jeddah International Terminal even for Umrah pilgrims.

(A large crowd to visit Maqam Rasulullah)

(Men praying in the Raudah)

(Maqam Rasulullah)

(Male pilgrims are allowed in Perkuburan Baqi')

(Breaking of fast before Maghrib prayer)

In Madinah, as usual we performed our prayers in Masjid An-Nabawi and visited Maqam Rasulullah. There was always quite a crowd and long queue into the Raudhah. It usually takes sixty to ninety minutes to get to pray in the area between the Prophet's Tomb to the Prophet's Mimbar.

Pilgrims are given between ten to fifteen minutes to pray at the Raudhah, to allow for the waiting others their opportunity to pray too. Iftar or breaking of fast is normally a twice weekly affair and daily in the month of Ramadhan Al Mubarak. It creates its own spiritual sensation of sharing and kinship with the Iftar spread usually include dates, bread, yogurt, water and kahwa. All provided free sedekah by generous well wishers.

(Workforce keeps Masjid Nabawi sparkling clean at all times)

(A signage by the roadside)

(Under the retractable umbrella canopies)

(Unusually empty prayer area)

(Arches and pillars of Masjid Nabawi)

(Fully air-conditioned prayer area)

(Automatic retractable dome)

(Vibrant coloured attire of an African boy)

This year, while visiting the attractions around Madinah we saw the familiar City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off bus for those free and easy pilgrims. The whole tour takes approximately two hours with tickets valid for twenty four hours. Tickets are eighty Saudi Riyals for adults with discounts for children, students and families.