Saudi Arabia - Chapter 2.

Jeddah / Mekah.

28 May 2013: SV 256 from Istanbul Turkey landed at 1930 hrs at King Abdul Aziz Airport Jeddah.  The plane taxied somewhere about 3-5 kilometers from the Main Terminal and we were transported by the Airport Coach to the Terminal. There is no such thing as aerobridge system at this Airport, for reasons that is beyond my comprehension as Saudi Arabia has abundant of black gold money. It is rather uneasy for the disable on wheel chairs.

It was crowded at the Arrival Terminal, Malaysia Airline had just landed about the same time and we were among the crowd of familiar faces. After the Immigration, luggage recovery and the Custom formalities, I collected the twenty four (24) passports to be handed to the Muassasah (Haj & Umrah Officials). We were then all ushered to a covered waiting area outside the Terminal.

I contacted Haji Ismail, our local Rep in Saudi Arabia and informed him of our current position. In the meantime some of us made our way to the Mobily Office to purchase SIM card to facilitate our communication back home.

Haji Ismail arrived with the Bus and he collected our Passports after certification by the Muassasah. We loaded our luggage and off we go heading for the Holy City of Mekah about 90 minutes ride away.

Our journey for umrah had begun and we were encouraged to recite the tarbiyah or wirid as the Bus journeyed its way across the Desert.

Soon we entered the checkpoint and the border of Tanah Haram where Infidels are Out of Bounds. The first sight of Mekah from a distant was the Zam Zam Clock tower. The bright light of Mekah shining towards the sky could be seen and that was our ultimate destination.

As we entered the City, the night traffic jam was common as Arabs sleep during the day and come alive at night. We reached Ibrahim Khalili Road and stopped in front of Mira Palace Hotel where we were allocated to stay in Mekah. It is about 800 meters from Masjidilharam.

The luggage was handled by the Bangladeshi Bell Boys and I sorted out the rooms with the Front Desk. Dinner was served at the Dining Room on the first Floor. After dinner the jemaah got into their respective rooms and took a rest.

Twenty three (23) jemaah rooms were sorted out except for one (1). Temporarily he had to squat for one night in my room as few more jemaahs are coming down from Medina and rooms would be available the following day.

While I was busy running up and down, organizing things up, one Jemaah came to me asking for the qiblat. Gosh!! Can’t he find out himself or ask someone else? Another Jemaah came and complained that his room is not on the same floor as his wife. I browsed the room allocation and there was no way I could make any adjustment. The rooms were not only occupied by Almukminin Travel Jemaah but by various Travel Agencies.

I told all the Jemaah to gather at the Lobby at midnight, as the Mutawif will come and guide them to perform their arrival umrah.

29 May 2013: At 0030 hrs, Mutawif Ustaz Yunus lead several jemaah to Masjidilharam to perform their umrah. Several went by themselves and I personally did on my own, taking my own time, as I need to fully concentrate. I completed about 0330 hrs in the morning and hit the sack. Was awakened by Ustaz Nazri who came back to the room after subuh and I was just in time to perform my subuh in the room. 

Today is a free day for the Jemaah and they could perform their own ibadah at Masjidilharam.

Another twelve (12) Almukminin Travel Jemaah, arrived from Medina after zohor.

Masjidilharam after zohor.

Tawaf at the Kaabah.

I put up a Notice in the Dining Room 30 May 2013 will be a Visit to the Desert of Arafah and to bring along their ihram for another umrah.

30 May 2013: Since a total of fifty eight (58) Jemaah were involved, we need a Bus and a Coaster. It was supposed to arrive at 0630 hrs but was one (1) hour delay. The jemaah were complaining but what could I do? Contributing factors were the chaotic morning traffic jam plus the Arab mentality.

The first stop was Jabal Thur, Arafah, Jabal Rahmah, Muzdalifah, Mina, Jairanah and finally Jabal Nur. For the first timers, they were briefed of its history of the various locations and their functions during the Haj seasons. At Jabal Rahmah, some climbed up to the top. At Jairanah, they put on their ihram and miqat to perform an umrah when they reached back Mekah.

Jabal Rahmah.

The Notice.

Mounting Jabal Rahmah.

Hj Ismail, me and the Mutawif. 

Ustaz Nazri, Me and two others.

Back in Mekah, the Jemaah had lunch before they proceeded for zohor and performing their umrah at Masjidilharam.

Lunch before UMRAH.

At night, two (2) more Almukminin Travel Jemaah arrived direct from KL. Now Almukminin Travel had a total of sixty (60) Jemaah staying under one roof.

Right in front of Mira Palace Hotel.

31 May 2013: Friday – Mekah was exceptionally crowded as it was a weekend holiday and people congregate in Mekah to perform their Friday prayer. In the morning, Ustaz Yunus lead several Jemaah to visit the historical sites surrounding Masjidilharam, like the birthplace of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), the House of Siti Khadijah, the House of Bilal bin Rabah etc.

Friday Prayer – some went early to find a space. I decided to perform my Friday prayer at Hilton Hotel Surau which consider acceptable as part of Masjidilharam when the congregation overflows.

I posted a Notice that forty eight (48) Jemaah would be leaving for Medina on 03 June 2013. The Istanbul group complained that they would have a day short in Mekah. I told them it had been planned that way and beyond my control. I was just acting accordingly as instructed.

I also put up a Notice that on 01 June 2013 after asar, we will be visiting Hubaidiyah and jemaah could perform another umrah.

01 June 2013: Subuh to Asar - Free.

After asar, the Jemaah who wanted to go to Hubaidiyah and stopping by at the Camel Farm and Mekah Museum gathered at the Lobby. Unexpectedly, it was a full turn out. Unfortunately, Haji Ismail sent only two (3) Coasters which was inadequate to accommodate all. One more van was immediately mobilized.

First stop was Camel Farm, Hubaidiyah Mosque to miqat and finally Mekah Museum after Maghreeb. Maghreeb prayer at Mekah Museum was at the Lawn. That was astonishing and it was my first time praying where grasses were my praying mat. I was damn surprise that the Museum does not have a Surau and we were in Saudi Arabia!! Goodness me!! My plan was Maghreeb at Hubaidiyah Mosque and I was not informed by Haji Ismail that the permit to enter the Museum was immediately after Maghreeb. There was miscommunication between me and Haji Ismail and Haji Ismail is fond of not answering phone calls. I forgot Arab sleep during the day. Haji Ismail is of Pattani origin but born and bred in Mekah.

With one PAS member at the Camel Farm.

The Muslimah at the Camel Farm.

Old Mosque ruin of Hubaidiyah Mosque.

Makkah Museum.

Solat on the Lawn.

On the way back to Mekah, I jumped into the supplementary Van and paid the Arab Driver 250 Saudi Riyal for the Mekah/ Hubaidiyah trip.

The jemaah had their dinner and proceeded to Masjidilharam for Isyakh prayer and umrah.

02 june 2013: Eight (8) Jemaah under the Leadership of Haji Ismail climbed Hira Cave but only seven (7) reached the summit. 

   

Free Day. I went for tawaf sunat so as most of the jemaah. Some went shopping as the following day we would be leaving for Medina. I bought two (2) sets of jubah, some praying mats and a luggage bag. My luggage bag brought from Malaysia was too small to fit in the Mosque replicas that I bought in Istanbul. I had a good bargain, a big luggage bag that cost only 120 Saudi Riyal. My room mate commented that I bought a cupboard.

Mekah/ Medina.

03 june 2013: I performed the widak at 1000 hrs at Masjidilharam as after zohor, I would be extremely busy sorting out the check out and the journey to Medina, 475 km away. As usual, I seek Allah to invite me to Baitullah again, insyaalah during Ramadan. Failing which, I seek for Jannah.

All luggages and zam zam canisters were down at the Lobby by 1130 hrs.

The jemaah destined for Medina, went for zohor prayer, jamak qasar takdim and widak. I performed my jamak zohor and asar in the room as I had already performed my widak.

The Jemaah had their lunch and by 1430 hrs forty eight (48) Jemaah bid farewell to Mekah. We shall return insyaalah. I sat beside the Bus Driver ensuring the Bus Driver not to over speed. The safety of all the Jemaah on board was my concern.

We only had one stop to freshen up along the way. We reached Medina just after Isyakh. We were met by Haji Kadir who holds on to our room keys.

Due to massive room occupancies by other and various Jemaah who came to Medina, we were allocated into two (2) different Hotels, Mubarak and Fayrooz Shatta, opposite each other.  I and one other family of four from the Istanbul group occupy two (2) rooms at Mubarak Hotel and the rest of the Istanbul group was at Fayrooz Shatta. There was a talk that I left them to themselves.

After dinner and a good shower, I went to Nabawi Mosque vide the front gate, Babul Salam and performed my jamak Maghreeb and Isyakh. I walked slowly to Raudah and found a small space to perform the solat taubat and hajat. I had the time to myself and the Security did not rush me out. Raudah is the busiest part of Nabawi and jemaah are normally given a couple of minutes to perform their personalized prayers. I then walked over to the Holy Prophet Mausoleum and paid my homage. I faced the qiblat and in my doa I thanked Allah for being at Nabawi again after a short spell of time. I was here last in February 2013. How fortunate I was when others in Malaysia are yearning to come to Nabawi.

At Nabawi.

04 June 2013: Medina Excursion – we went to Quba Mosque, Date Farm, Jabal Uhud, Koraan Factory, Qiblatin Mosque, The 7 Mosques and finally The Date Market. Ustaz Loqman was the Mutawif during this excursion. Those who took their ablution at the Hotel and pray two (2) rakaat of sunat prayer at Quba Mosque it is equivalent to an umrah. At Jabal Uhud we visited the Makam Syuhadah and the message here is always to abide to instructions and not be greedy. Some Muslim archers during the War of Uhud, left their post contrary to the Holy Prophet instruction and the Queresh Musyrikin attacked and killed them. At the Koraan Factory, every visitor received a Koraan, the Senior Citizen like me got a big one and the rest got a small one. I sedekah mine to Aiman Tan, a Chinese convert Jemaah and the small one from Aiman Tan I sedekah it to Humairah, the one year old girl in my entourage. At The Date Market, every Jemaah was bargaining for a good price and in total, the Arabs got a few thousand Riyals sales. Ustaz Loqman arranged to hand delivered the original “ajwa” date (Prophet Date) from a famous Medina Date Farm and most of the Jemaah took up the offer.

At Quba.

At Quba.

With Aniq at Quba.

The Bus Assistant Driver.

Date fruiting.

Date soon ripening.

Date Shop at the Date Farm.

Can I have a Date? Halal.

Baby Humairah.

Arrived at the Hotel, Sharome forgot about Humairah’s stroller and it was never found. He had a handful of dates to carry and his wife was carrying Humairah. As for the Driver, he had left it in front of the Hotel but there was no sign of it anywhere. I had reminded before alighting from the Bus ensuring not to leave anything behind. Shahrome was not in a mood after that. Surely we could not handle every minor things that beyond our responsibilities. 

The Big Boss, Ustaz Mokhzar arrived from Amman/ Palestine with his entourage and joined my room 930.

05 June 2013: After breakfast, Ustaz Loqman took some Jemaah on the excursion tour inside and around Nabawi.

Twenty three (23) Jemaah went with Ustaz Loqman about twenty five (25) km outskirts of Medina to experience the extraordinary magnetic pull. The bus moved uphill without pressing on the accelerator. I had heard about this place and it was my first experience being there and being in the bus. We bless Allah’s creation. Kun fayakun.

At the Magnetic Area.

After asar, two (2) Jemaah checked out and left for Medina Airport for home.

06 June 2013: At 0730 hrs a Meeting was held by Ustaz Mokhzar with the Istanbul Group at Fayrooz Shatta Hotel Dining Room. It was all about the visit to Doha, Qatar and the Jemaah insisted that the stop over visit should proceed. Back at Mubarak Hotel, Ustaz Mokhzar and I made several phone calls to Shah Alam and Doha trying to find the best deal to visit Doha. Finally, we got a deal with a local Malaysian, Tuan Haji Ashraf Manan in Doha and all set to meet him at Doha Airport upon arrival. I had to get Qatari Riyals to pay Tuan Haji Ashraf.

At 1500 hrs Ustaz Mokhzar and his Palestine entourage left for Mekah and all rooms, including mine at Mubarak Hotel had to be surrendered. Two rooms were affected and had to move into Fayrooz Shatta Hotel, across the road. As for me I could only checked in at midnight when two (2) rooms would be vacated by Istanbul Jemaah who wanted to fly home early.

I packed my luggage and requested the Bell Boy to transfer my luggage to a room occupied by one of the Istanbul Group. As for the other set of transferee, they were very unhappy about the transfer and one of the ladies scorned me when I politely asked her whether she had the key to the room. Being nice, I wanted to assist her on the transfer and she angrily told me all had been done. She was ushered away before any serious confrontation developed. As it was, I was holding on and patience about the episode. Sabarrrrrr. I don’t blame her but why took on me? I did not make the room arrangement in the first instant. Earlier she had personally commented it will be the last time she would patronize Almukminin Travel. I don’t think she believe, human plan and Allah destined. 

  

After asar disaster strike Medina. There was an explosion at the Main Transformer outside the City, resulting to a complete power failure throughout Medina except Nabawi Mosque. 

Medina Blackout.

Most Hotels were on standby generator, no power in the room and only one lift was functioning. It was a complete chaos at all the Hotels. After Isyakh, since I had no room, I just laze around at the Lobby and sometimes just walked around killing time.

At 2345 hrs, Hazamin and wife checked out from Room 911 and I checked in, in the dark. Luckily I had my small torchlight to find my way in the room. I could not recharge my hand phones. There was no air condition and I opened the window wide. I had about two (2) hours sleep and at 0330 hrs must be prepared for subuh. A black out night in Medina, will always be remembered.

07 June 2013: At 0015 hrs Hazamin and Annuar with their wives made their way to Medina Airport assisted by Tuan Haji Ismail. I now have two (2) rooms in hand. I offered one (1) for Barakah,but nobody took the offer. There was no light anyway.

After subuh, all Istanbul group Jemaah luggage’s at Floor 9 was stacked in front of the lift. Since only one lift was functioning, it was finally taken down to the Lobby with the assistance of the Bell Boy, of course with a baksis.

Small problem encountered during check out. One room key supposedly not received at the front Desk. Haji Ismail will sort it out later with the Hotel.

A fee of 30 Saudi Riyal each was collected in the Bus on the way to the Airport to facilitate checking in and overweight if any. That’s the norm in Saudi Arabia and they term it as “baksis” not “rasuah”. Simply - a payment of convenient.

Arriving at the Airport, the Jemaah just had to carry their hand carry and the rest was taken care by the Bangladeshi Porter up to checking in point. We tagged ownership of zam zam canisters. Medina Airport was not busy, only Qatar Airline QR 733 taking off to Doha this morning. I sorted out the boarding passes to Doha accordingly and the boarding pass for Doha/ KL was in my custody in order not to confuse the Jemaah. Amidst the formalities, I left behind the “Umrah Profile” at Qatar Airline Front Desk.

Qatar Airline QR 733 took off from Medina for Doha at 1020 hrs.

Good bye Saudi Arabia.

Pictures tell no lies – Medina in perspective. Hope the following shots inspire my Readers to visit Medina.

Haji Kadir of Medina.

Haji Kadir and Haji Mokhzar.

Starbuck in Medina??? Dont believe me?

The Koraan Peddlar.

The Clock Tower of Medina.

Relaxing Arab with Arabic toothbrush. (joking).

To the Mosque.

End.