All in a day's work.

On 21 march 2013, I left for KLIA at about 1030 hrs, rather early as I had to wait for ten (10) Jemaah destined for Jeddah to perform their umrah. I had not met any of them but I told them that I would be waiting at Departure Lounge Gate 8.

Their flight was Saudi Airline, SV 831 ETD KLIA 1500 hrs and they must be at the Airport at about 1200 hrs for check in formalities.

The first to arrive was a family of three (3) from Kota Kinabalu who just flown in vide Air Asia from KK, followed by a couple from KL and five (5) from Kuala Rompin. When all arrived I lead them to Counter K for thecheck in formalities and within thirty (30) minutes I obtained the boarding passes. The Saudi Airline personnel at the Counter was very accommodating and helpful.

Gathered all the potential Guest of Allah for briefing, what to do, what to expect at the Holy Land etc etc. I told them, Encik Zulziman will lead them to the Aircraft for boarding and upon arrival at Haj Terminal at Jeddah, Ustaz Loqman the son of Encik Kadir, (the Jemaah from KK) will wait for them. Lastly my friend Imam Khairuddin recited the doa selamat and I bid them safe & smooth flight and wish them all well performing the umrah. I then send a short message to Ustaz Loqman in Jeddah about the arrival details. There are three Terminals at Jeddah Airport, the Haj, International and Saudi Airline. For umrah passengers, the exit would be at Haj Terminal.

Past midnight, Ustaz Loqman called me from Jeddah and asked where I was as he was thinking I was on the same flight. I told him I am at home in Malaysia while he was in Jeddah outside the Haj Terminal Complex excitedly waiting for the arrival including his parents and sister. At that point of time he did not received any communication from any of them. It got me worried as the flight normally take eight (8) hours and they should arrived by then. I tried to call Encik Kadir hand phone number but no response. I had a cold sweat. I even woke up Ustaz Aziz at Kuala Rompin to get the phone numbers of Jemaah that he send on the same flight. I transmitted all the phone numbers to Ustaz Loqman at Jeddah, maybe Ustaz Loqman’s father did not switch on his hand phone. Ustaz Loqman need the flight number and confirmation from the arrival Jemaah before he was allowed entry into the Haj Terminal Complex. The Arab has all sort of security measures and sometimes its ridiculous.

About 0200 hrs, finally, Ustaz Loqman’s sister answered my call and she informed that they had just landed and at the Immgration Counter. I told her to contact her brother immediately who was frantically waiting for their arrival. I sigh with relief and I also informed Ustaz Aziz at Kuala Rompin all was well. Ustaz Aziz daughter and son in law was on the same flight, surely Ustaz Aziz was worried too.

Early morning I contacted Ustaz Loqman and they were now comfortably in the Hotel at Medina. Job done!!

 It was a good experience and the lesson learnt was effective communication and total details. The fiasco started when Ustaz Loqman was over excited to receive his parents. I hit the sack at 0300 hrs, gladly knowing the Jemaah that I checked in at KLIA had arrived in Jeddah.

Readers who are interested to perform an umrah, contact me and I will arrange with Almukminin Travel & Tours. Details and charges can be negotiated. I am a back up service provider with no fee for this tour company. My service is only for the sake of Allah, a small investment to take back to Thereafter, insyaalah.