How to ensure an enthralling Umrah experience?

Umrah is one of the most important Islamic pilgrimages which although not compulsory, leads to great satisfaction and spiritual advantages. The basic meaning of Umrah is to "Visit a populated place". The main features of Umrah is to perform Tawaf around the Holy Kabaa and Sai between the holy hills of Safa and Marwah, in a state of Ihram. Umrah is a minor pilgrimage and can be performed at any time of the year and is of around two week duration. For getting an enthralling Umrah experience, you should select the right company. The following tools will help you tremendously, in selecting the right agency:-

1. Approval from the Ministry of Haj, Saudi Arabia:-

The first basic criterion for Haj is that you must select only those companies, which are authorized by the Ministry of Haj, Saudi Arabia for giving authentic umrah tour package. Always check the license of the company from the website of the Ministry of Haj, Saudi Arabia, before making a commitment.

2. Cheap and inexpensive tour packages

Whenever you choose any Umrah package, always finalize after inspecting packages from different companies. This way, you will get the best deal within the minimum rates.

3. Excellent customer care service

Ensure the company which you select must have an excellent and accessible customer care service. The customer care service must be available by chat, fax, phone and mail. They should be able to solve all your doubts and guide you in the most perfect way.

4. Provision of inclusive tour packages

Always choose only those packages which are completely inclusive and without any hidden charges. Your Umrah tour package should always include flights, tickets, and accommodation and visa charges. Make sure that all the terms and conditions are well documented on paper, to avoid fraud and misdeeds later on.

5. Provision of Ziyarat and Moulim in tour packages

Apart from the standard facilities like flights, tickets, stay and visa, your package should always include Ziyarat and Moulim. This basically means the presence of well-trained guides who must have thorough knowledge about the procedures and regulations of the Umrah packages.

6. Active social media

Nowadays, all good tour companies have an active presence on social media like Facebook, LinkedIn etc. Always examine the ratings of these companies on the social media, before making a commitment.

7. Transport facilities between the Umrah sites must be excellent

Since, the distance between the Umrah sites is huge and there is a huge rush of devotees all the time, then there should be very good connectivity between the Umrah sites like Sai, Marwah hills etc. The package must have the provision of AC buses which have very good speeds and are manned by drivers.

8. Care for handicapped and elderly

All these packages must take special care of the handicapped, elderly, women and children, in case of any emergency. There should be the presence of well-trained health care staff and professionals.

9. Zamzam should be provided

Zamzam or the holy water should be provided to all the devotees as a part of the package. There should be no exclusive charges for Zamzam water.

10. Online tracking services for your certificates

Always ensure that the company which you select must deliver online tracking services for your certificates. You must get a valid consignment or a tracking no for your docs, after submission.

How to have a perfect Umrah experience?

Apart from choosing the correct tour operator, you must always interact with pilgrims from all around the world. Since Umrah is a global Islamic pilgrimage, so you get to meet devotees from around the planet. Secondly, you will be able to visit the holy city of Medina, where you can pray at the Quba masjid and the mosque of the Two Qiblas. You should visit world class libraries in Mecca and Medina, where you should be able to read books related to Umrah and gain more knowledge. Also, this is a great opportunity for all pilgrims to learn and practise Arabic and other foreign languages like Urdu, Persian etc. Another big advantage of doing Umrah, is that you get to taste delicious cuisines from all over the world and more specifically, Arabic cuisine like Kahwa, Hummus, and Qu boos etc. If time permitting, Umrah pilgrimage can also serve as a platform for you to do tourism of the city of Mecca and other cities of Saudi Arabia like Riyadh, Jeddah, Taif and consequently learn about the cultures of this famed land.