Oman 2019: Muscat - A Taste of Traditional Oman...

"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions..." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

(Big Bus hop-on hop-off city tour of Muscat)

After our Umrah trip to the holy lands, we transited for about nine hour in Muscat, the capital city of Oman. During our half-day tour, I found Muscat city fascinating and lovely in general. The locals we met were friendly. Some local folks who could not speak English were shy but graciously charming. The scenery was spectacular and the food was delicious. It was not cheap though.

(Taking the early morning flight out of Jeddah)

(The new and modern Muscat International Airport)

Muscat is Oman’s port capital, sits on the Gulf of Oman surrounded by mountains and desert. With history dating back to antiquity, it mixes high-rises and upscale shopping malls with clifftop landmarks such as the 16th-century Portuguese forts, Al Jalali and Mirani, looming over Muscat Harbor.

(Applying for our visa on arrival)

(Welcome to Muscat! Our first visit here)

The first on the list to visit was The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the many attractions in Muscat. It is one of the most beautiful and extravagant modern mosques in the world. The mosque was first opened in 2001 and took six years to build. The mosque features a blend of Islamic, Middle Eastern, and Omani architectural styles, hosts one of the world’s largest handmade Persian rugs and one of the world’s biggest crystal chandeliers. The Grand Mosque can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers. The mosque has four main sections, the main prayer hall, the women prayer hall, the library, and the lecture theater.

(The majestic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque)

(The 90 meter main minaret of the Grand Mosque)

(Beautifully decorated main prayer hall)

After a hearty lunch we visited the souk for souvenir shopping. The Muttrah Souq is perhaps one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arab world. It is located adjacent to the harbour of Muscat and has seen immense trade in the age of sail, being strategically located on the way to India and China. It has been named Al Dhalam Souq or Dark Market because of the crowded stalls and lanes where the sunrays do not infiltrate during the day. Shops selling Omani and Indian artefacts together with a few antiques jostle among more traditional textile, hardware and jewellery stores. Bargaining is expected.

 (A sculpture dedicated to Omani culture)

(This Muttrah area is touristically popular)

In the past, the market was built from mud and palm leaves, which suit the high temperatures and the harsh climates. Today the souq has been renovated and decorated to maintain the popular style but with modern amenities to attract tourists and make the shopping experience comfortable. One could smell strong aroma of frankincense when you enter the souq.

(The entrance of the Mutrah Souq)

(Buying local handicrafts and souvenirs)

(My favorite souvenirs for family and friends)

While waiting for our bus, we strolled around the Mutrah area. Mutrah stretches along an attractive corniche of latticed buildings and mosques. There are pristine gardens and fountains along this stretch. It looks spectacular at sunset when the light casts shadows across the serrated crescent of mountains, while pavements, lights and fountains invite an evening stroll or a bike ride. It is a beautiful seaside walk. The curved waterside area offering paved paths and artistic shelters with the views of the water and mountains. The harbour is home to His Majesty's dhow, visiting cruise ships and assorted naval vessels.

(Kissing couple at the round-about)

(A 3 km stretch of paved walkway)

The Muscat's sheltered port was once named by Ptolemy as The Hidden Port. Around the port area we saw the familiar brown yellow liveried Big Bus, a Hop-On Hop-Off service for about RM300/pax. Tourists are offered a ten stop journey of Muscat's greatest landmarks with a choice of six languages of pre recorded commentary.

(Cruise ships docking at the harbor)

Our last visit was to Al Alam Palace, one of the six royal residences of the ruling monarch, Sultan Qaboos. It has a history of over 200 years, built by Imam Sultan bin Ahmed the 7th direct grandfather of the current Sultan. The existing palace, which has a facade of gold and blue, was rebuilt as a royal residence in 1972. The inner grounds of the palace remain off-limits but visitors are permitted to stop near the gates and take photographs. Al Alam Palace is surrounded by the Mirani and Jalali Forts built in the 16th century by the Portuguese. The Palace is used for official functions.

(The side entrance to Sultan Qaboos Palace)

(A windy evening at Sultan Qaboos Palace)

(A group photo in front of Al Alam Palace)

Our flight was scheduled late at night. We had ample time in Muscat International Airport visiting duty free shops with the usual duty free offerings of branded goods plus local handicrafts and delicacies.

(The ship of the desert!)

(Ahoy! All aboard... Sinbad navigating the perilous waterways...)

It was quite an empty flight from Muscat to KLIA.. When boarding was completed, we had our choices of seats...

(We have the plane to ourselves)

(Clear sky all the way home...)

Fb Album: 2019 Oman Trip

2019 14th Umrah Trip: 01 Makkah al-Mukarramah 👉

Next Trip: 2019 Thailand: Kembara Masjid Ramadhan Vol 4

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.

(Free and easy Hop-on Hop-off tour bus)

(Jabal Uhud, the site of Perang Uhud)

(Resting on the Archer's Mount of Jabal Uhud)

(Met Rozlan and wife, our biker friends)

(A beautiful sight of Masjid Nabawi at night)

(In our Ihram at Bir Ali Mosque)

Fb Album: 2019 Umrah Madinah Trip

 2019 14th Umrah Trip: 02 Makkah al-Mukarramah👉 

2019 14th Umrah: 02 Makkah al-Mukarramah...

“Never have I dealt with anything more difficult than my own soul, which sometimes helps me and sometimes opposes me...” - Imam Al-Ghazali

(Full house in Masjidil Haram)

               

Makkah al-Mukkaramah

(6 - 12 April 2019)

In Makkah we stayed in The Hera Hotel, a decent budget hotel about a kilometre from Masjidil Haram. A good twenty minutes of walking each way, five times daily to perform our prayers.

(Makkah sky is covered with clouds)

(Isya Prayer under clear sky at Masjidil Haram)

(The three domes on the rooftop of Masjidil Haram)

We performed our Umrah almost every day. The travel agent had arranged for two visits to Jaaranah Mosque and Hudaibiyah Mosque where we would have our miqat for the Umrah. The rest of our Umrah, we had our miqat at Saidatina Aishah Mosque, Tana'eem which is the closest miqat location from Makkah.

 

(The fare had doubled)

(Clean and reliable SAPTCO bus)

(The marker for the miqat border)

We had the option of taking the taxi or the bus to Tana’eem and we preferred the later. There were more than enough SAPTCO public bus to ferry pilgrims to and from Saidatina Aishah Mosque, Tana'eem for miqat for those performing the umrah. The SAPTCO buses are clean and efficient. We miss the older nostalgic double deckers though. And our young kids loved the upper decks then. The fare is almost double now. We pay RS3 each now. Wasn't it RS1.75 some time ago?

(Completed the tawaf)

(Performing the Sa'ei on the upper floor)

(The crowd after Zohor prayer)

On the way to have our miqat in Jaaranah we visited some historical attractions around Makkah including Jabal Nur where Gua Hira’ is situated, the Jamrats in Mina and Jabal Rahmah in Arafah. Jabal Rahmah is not just where Nabi Adam AS was reunited with Siti Hawa but Padang Arafah is the location of the defining Wukuf, where believers are challenged mentally and physically during their hajj. We used to climb up Jabal Rahmah to the peak in our younger and stronger days. Then after had a cone of yummy ice-cream. The perfect complement for the hot blazing Arabian sun.

(A visit to Jabal Rahmah at Padang Arafah)

(An ice-cream indulgence)

(A group photo of our entourage at Jabal Rahmah)

The Ja'ranah Mosque is another miqat point in the Saraf Oasis, twenty-five kilometres from Makkah. Imam Shafie scholars mostly agree this miqat is the most afdal. Rasulullah SAW performed his miqat for his third umrah and encamped here for almost two weeks. The new Ja'ranah Mosque, easily can accommodate a thousand worshippers.

(Miqat at Masjid Jaaranah)

On the day we were scheduled to miqat at Hudaibiyah, the group visited the Haramain Museum. Divided into seven sections, the Haramain Museum offers guided educational tours. But most visitors simply amble along taking in the artifacts and photos of Masjid Nabawi and Masjidil Haram. Though there are no information pamphlets or brochures available, most of the exhibits are well described or self-explanatory.

(A visit to the Museum of Two Holy Mosques)

(One of seven exhibition halls)

In Hudaibiyah, we performed sunat prayers in Hudaibiyah Mosque. We later visited the remains of the old Hudaibiyah Mosque situated behind the new mosque. In Islamic history, the pivotal Hudaibiyah Treaty was enforced here affirming a ten year peace and removing hostilities between followers in Madinah and the Quraish of Makkah. In this treaty, muslims were allowed to perform their first hajj pilgrimage.

(The remains of the historical old Masjid Hudaibiyah)

On the last day before we leave for the airport, we performed tawaf wida'. This is off peak season but Masjidil Haram was packed with pilgrims from all over the world. Thousands more will descend here during Ramadhan and millions during the Hajj season.

(A view of the Kaabah during tawaf wida')

(Performing the tawaf wida' on a scooter)

Fb Album: 2019 Umrah Makkah

 👈2019: 14th Umrah Trip: 01 Madinah al- Munawwarah

Next Trip: 2019 Oman: Muscat - A Taste of Traditional Oman