Ramadan Umrah 2015.

Due to certain restriction imposed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I was only approved fifteen (15) days entry visa to perform the 2015 Ramadan Umrah. Last year in 2014, it was twenty one (21) days and the previous years were all thirty (30) days. It was most unfortunate but considered lucky compared to others who had their application rejected. The gist of the restriction is due to the current major renovation of Masjidilharam in Mekah.

Night view of renovation.

Daylight view of renovation.

03 July 2015: Thirty eight (38) Jemaah were all set at KLIA destined for the Holy Land. I was appointed as one (1) of the two (2) Tour Leaders by Addeen Travel and entrusted with four (4) boxes and several envelopes to be delivered to our Saudi counterpart.

At KLIA.

Tuan Haji Pak Wan, Tuan Haji Wan Azrai (Haji Boy), Ustaz Israqy and Tuan Haji Hasrin was at KLIA to organize our departure.

SV 833 destined for Riyadh took off at 1505 hrs local time. The plane was half empty and I had the luxury of having three seats personalized of which I converted to a bed. The plane landed at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport at 1725 hrs local time and we were still fasting.

King Khalid International Airport Riyadh.

Since we were on transit flight to Medina domestically, we had to check out the entire luggage and rechecked. It was rather absurd and a long walk to the Domestic Terminal but that was the ruling. Immigration formalities entering Saudi Arabia was formalized in Riyadh.

Iftar was at Riyadh International Airport, followed by Jamak prayer of Maghreb and Isyakh . We boarded SV 1475 for Medina which took off at 2130 hrs and landed in Medina New Airport at 2240 hrs.

Medina New Airport.

A box and a luggage were found missing upon arrival and immediately reported to the Airport Authorities. Ustaz Fitri waited for the entourage but we had to wait for a while as the Bus did not show up. Arab can be very unpredictable, most of the time. Finally after several phone calls the Bus appeared and we headed for Hotel Fayrooz Shatta.

Fayrooz Shatta Hotel Medina.

04 July 2015: Arrived at the Hotel and organized the room allocation for all the Jemaah. The system thus changed from my recent visit, it was now handled by the Hotel not the Muassasah anymore. Fayrooz Shatta Hotel is very near to Nabawi Mosque, very conducive and well accepted by female Jemaah.

I was indeed very glad to be back at Nabawi Mosque and solemnly performed the subuh prayer and thank you Almighty Allah for inviting me again to Medina. Soon after, I paid homage to the Holy Prophet Mohamed (pbuh) Tomb. I also conveyed the salam on behalf of family members and friends.

Iftar in Nabawi.

First iftar at Nabawi was inside the Mosque. I was also looking forward for the first terawikh prayer at Nabawi.

After terawikh, I was relieved; Ustaz Fitri informed that the missing items confirmed found left behind at Riyadh Airport and soon be flown to Medina. Both envelopes for Ustaz Fitri and Haji Aziz delivered. It was now timely; I got my Saudi telecommunication system organized.

05 July 2015:  During sahor, Haji Radhi came all the way from Mekah searching for me to collect the two (2) boxes full of food stuff.

At 0530 hrs after subuh, it was the grand tour of Masjid Nabawi and its surrounding lead by Ustaz Fitri. I lead the male Jemaah into the Mosque to the Holy Prophet’s (pbuh) Tomb. On the way back to the Hotel I met my Sabah acquaintance, Puan Hajjah Faridah.

Nabawi Tour.

Before noon, with Ustaz Fitri and Hajjah Normala we headed to the Airport and retrieved the missing box and a luggage. Hajjah Normala was relieved to get hold of her luggage and her sets of clothing’s. On the way back we stopped at the Date Market.

For terawikh, I accompanied young Doctor Afiq to the Mosque.

06 July 2015: After subuh it was an outskirt tour of Medina. We went to Quba Mosque, Date Farm and Jabal Uhud.

Quba.

Makam Syuhada, Jabal Uhud.

Back at the Hotel I prepared myself to enter Raudah. It was my worst experience entering Raudah from my previous several entrances to this place. The Security enclosed us in two (2) areas before we could enter Raudah. It was to control overcrowding and took me about thirty (30) frustrating minutes waiting time. Whatever, I did enter Raudah and I had about fifteen (15) minutes solid praying time. To me, Medina was incomplete without Raudah.

Later at night after terawikh, Ustaz Fitri fetched three (3) Jemaah from the Airport who just arrived and I arranged for their accommodation at the same Hotel. During the busy schedule, I lost the electronic card room key and I had to pay for replacement.

07 July 2015: Past midnight I went shopping for wallpaper as my buddy in Mekah requested me to purchase for him. It seems, Mekah had already run out of stock. After sahor, it was packing time as we were checking out early morning heading for Mekah.

After subuh all the Jemaah performed the widaq of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). The jemaah dressed in their ihram and at 1100 hrs, we left Medina for Bir Ali Mosque. We stopped at Bir Ali Mosque for about twenty (20) minutes to miqat and solat sunat ihram.

The Bus sped through the 475 kilometer desert road stopping only once for the Rest Room. I slept through most of the journey as the panorama was familiar. Finally at 1630 hrs we arrived at Misfalah area and checked into Hanin Firdaus Hotel. It was the same Hotel as I stayed during 2014 Ramadan umrah. I got the rooms sorted out and the luggage dispatched to their respective rooms. Some of the Bangladeshi Hotel workers were familiar and that facilitate the operation.

View from my room. Masjidilharam in view.

Soon settled down in the Hotel room, Tuan Haji Mokhdzar came to my Room to collect the wallpaper rolls.

Just arrive from Medina. In ihram.

First iftar in Mekah was at the Hotel Dining Room at MZ Floor. At the midst of iftar, I urgently had to rush to my Room heading for the Rest Room. I even soiled my bottom ihram garment. The food at Medina during sahor was troubling me. Luckily it was not during the long bus ride to Mekah and glad that it was only a one off mishap. I was worried it was going to be a bad start for me.

    

After jamak prayer in the room, all the jemaah in group, lead by Imam Rodi headed for Masjidilharam to perform the tawaf and saie. We performed the tawaf as the Mosque was conducting the terawikh prayer. I was assigned at the tail end to ensure no Jemaah swayed out.

08 July 2015: All the Jemaah completed the saie ritual at random and I completed mine at 0125 hrs. I lost my slippers, which is very common in Masjidilharam and went back to the Hotel barefooted.

After getting a new pair of Japanese slippers, I headed for the Barber Shop and Yul Branner (bald).

Umrah completed.

The Jemaah were starting to settle down in Mekah and they have their respective rituals and program planned. I just have to ensure they were safe, where about and in good health. I was only worried about the first timers, for the veterans, they were experts.

After terawikh I had an appointment with Tuan Haji Mokhdzar at the De Saji Restaurant but it was full house, so we abandoned the place.

Alone in my room.

09 July 2015:  Immediately after sahor, I bought a sejadah (prayer mat). It was important to possess one as I wouldn’t know where I had to lay the mat and pray. Mekah was getting crowded by each day during the last ten (10) days of Ramadan.

After subuh it was Menasik Haji tour. We went to Jabal Thur, Arafah, Mina, Jairanah for Miqat and finally Jabal Noor. The tour was guided by Imam Rodi and he briefed those who were first timers. It was on the way to Jairanah I requested from the Bus Driver where Surayik Al Haram is located. At Jairanah some Jemaah performed their miqat for another umrah. I did not perform mine as I have one important mission in Mekah which was yet to be accomplished.

Outside Mekah tour.

Tonight being Friday night, I requested Imam Rodi to perform tahlil rituals at his residential Mosque for my deceased family members.

The Floor Steward delivered my laundry and I found out the cost was rather exorbitant. At this time of the year, all the Outlets were taking quick profits. It was better to do my own washing at a cost of only two (2) SDR for soap powder.

I did not perform the terawikh tonight as Ustaz Fitri was coming in with three (3) Jemaah from Medina late evening. I had to sort out accommodation for them and the Hotel made a fiasco. Instead of three (3) bedded room, they allocated two (2) bedded. After negotiations and manipulation we finally found a vacant three (3) bedded room and transfer operation had to be done. Meanwhile the newly arrived female Jemaah lost her direction, couldn’t locate the Hotel and Ustaz Fitri had to scout for her. That’s where hand phone became handy.

10 July 2015: FRIDAY.  Ustaz Fitri went back to home base in Medina after subuh and I retired to bed after a long sleepless night.

Friday is the busiest day in Mekah with its Friday prayer. I went with Haji Shahrul to perform the Friday prayer and finally landed at an under constructed wing of the New Mosque. This was where praying mat become handy. The compliment it was roofed, not under the hot sun.

On the way back we stopped at Ben Dawood Shopping Complex to get some fruits and drinks for the room fridge. At the payment counter, it was chaotic, like a fish market where queuing system is alien to the Arabs and the Africans.

11 July 2015: After zohor I went to Safwah Shopping Complex to get some apparel for my friends back home.

After asar I went around Bangla Street to get some cookies and sugar cane juice for iftar. Iftar was alone in the room and for terawikh I was ushered to the New Wing of Masjidilharam. Security was very tight and entrance to Masjidilharam was restricted.

12 July 2015: After subuh, lead by Imam Rodi, sent three (3) newly arrival jemaah, for menasik Haji - outside Mekah tour.

At 1000 hrs with the same taxi, Imam Rodi accompanied me to Surayik Al Haram Cemetery. This place was my main mission of Ramadan Umrah. My sister, Fatimah Abdul Hamid on her first umrah passed away in Mekah on 25 January 2015 and she was buried at Surayik Al Haram Cemetry. I need to visit the Cemetery, took some photographs for my late sister’s children as well as my loving Mum. I was touched and deeply sorry when I stepped in into the Cemetery Ground. At least my late sister had someone, her siblings to visit her resting place and I was glad I was the first. The Pakistani Taxi Driver was very accommodating when he knew of my purpose. Mission accomplished. Alhamdullillah.

Surayik Al Haram Cemetery. 

As usual, terawikh was at the New Wing.

13 July 2015: I did some washing in the morning. After zohor I went to collect the Alfajar Alarm Clock which I sent for repair. It is interesting to note that all Alfajar brand watches and clock is being repaired free in Mekah. I visited the Money Exchange and astonished that MYR was lower that the SDR.

Masjidilharam after zohor.

My good Mekah buddy, Haji Nan came down from the Hill to meet me and brought along two boxes of doughnut. Haji Nan will never fail to meet me whenever I am in town. 

Tonight was Night of 27 Ramadan, the peak of all Ramadan nights in Mekah. It was estimated about 2.4 million worshippers was at Masjidilharam and it was overflowing. I just could not proceed to Masjidilharam as the road in front of the Hotel was already filled with worshippers. I managed to squeeze a spot at an open space area across the road in front of the Hotel. I performed only the sunnah eight (8) rakaat. The Chief Imam of Masjidilharam, Abdul Rahman Sudais conducted the last ten (10) rakaat of the terawikh.

14 July 2015: At subuh, the same overflowing crowd was still around. For zohor, I just went to Hilton Hotel Surau.

Haji Nan came to the Hotel again and this time around, one of the Jemaah ordered him to bring down some curry puffs for iftar sedekah.

For terawikh, Haji Shahrul and I decided to perform at the Hilton Hotel Surau. We were tired being pushed around by the Mosque Security. We got acquainted with a Moroccan Jemaah, Haji Abdul Kadir Rhdstassi. He invited me to visit Morocco and extended his contact number.

Back at the Hotel, I learnt that Professor Dato Seri Asiah had a sprain ankle and a Masseur had to be called. Her sister commented that Professor was getting better.

15 July 2015: After zohor we had a briefing to all the Jemaah who were to leave Mekah on 16 July 2015.

Tonight terawikh was the khatam Al Quraan ie the reciting of the last chapter. The Chief Imam of Masjidilharam, Abdul Rahman Sudais recited the completion of the Al Quraan and the doa khatam. Again the Jemaah presence at Masjidilharam was overwhelming. I managed to get into the New Wing since I left the Hotel exceptionally early.

Inter continental, Hilton and Zam Zam Clock Tower.

On the way back to the Hotel I was caught among the massive crowd at the back of Inter Continental Hotel. The crowd was so huge that I feared of a stampede. It took me a while, stood aside at the pavement, let the crowd found their respective ways and I followed suit. Last year one Indonesian female Jemaah of the same Hotel was crushed to death.

16 July 2015: Thirty three (33) Jemaah destined to leave Mekah for flight home on 17 July 2015 at 0200 hrs. They have to exit Mekah early morning as it was Aidilfitri eve and way before the road in front of the Hotel being closed to traffic.

Set for home.

After subuh, the Jemaah performed their widaq and luggage down at the Hotel Lobby. I was glad to see Professor Dato Sri Asiah was now able to walk but for the widaq, she requested to be wheel chaired.

The Bus arrived at 1030 hrs and we loaded the luggage and the Jemaah boarded. The Bus was about ready to leave when the Saudi Umrah Haj Official intervened, stopped and blocked the Bus. He requested to inspect the Jemaah Passports of which we were going to collect them on the way. He arrogantly instructed the Bus Driver not to move unless Passports was available. He called up the Muassasah and screwed up the Official who came immediately on a motorcycle to deliver the Passports. It wasn’t finished there and now he requested to see the plane ticket. I showed him a pile of them and now he requested for the respective plane ticket numbers. My temperature was rising, and pointed to him the ticket numbers printed on the E tickets. He took the pile of the E tickets and went into his official car. I reckoned he called Saudi Airline for confirmation. Out of the thirty eight (38) Passports returned, I need to extract five (5) Passports as me and four (4) other Jemaah were going home the following day. I quietly took the five (5) Passports and disappeared into my Hotel Room to avoid any other chronic issues from the Saudi Haj Umrah Official. That’s the last time I saw him. I soon called my counterpart in the Bus and was informed the Bus was now on its way to Jeddah. I sighed with relief!! That’s a typical Arab…….they love making things difficult. Out of nothing?

I now left with four (4) other jemaah plus three (3) who arrived in Mekah later. Iftar as usual and perhaps it was the last during 2015 Ramadan. It was only after Isyakh that we knew the following day, 17 July 2015 was Aidilfitri. There was no announcement, only indicated by laser lights beaming towards the sky from the top of Zam Zam Clock Tower, Greetings of Eid Mubarak.

Eid Mubarak notification.

Outside on the street, Jemaah from all over the world were either marching to Masjidilharam or returning to their respective Hotels from Masjidilharam. In Mekah, shops remain open all night except during fardhu prayers.

   

My last night in Mekah, alone in my room and I started organizing my luggage for my journey home. I had the whole room to myself as my other three (3) roommates had gone home.

17 July 2015: Aidilfitri. 

Congregation at Masjidilharam, Aidilfitri prayer.

Haji Nan came to join me after subuh. We performed the solat Aidilfitri together and adjourned for Aidilfitri breakfast of nasi lemak. Aidilfitri in Mekah is no big deal or grand celebrations like in Malaysia. I was going home today, after the Friday prayer. I had to perform the widaq and Masjidilharam was crowded due to the forthcoming Friday prayer and the just after Aidilfitri prayer.

At 0815 hrs, after a short doa in my room, confidently determined, I walked slowly to Masjidilharam and headed for the first level mataf. Alhamdullillah, to my surprise, Allah made it easy and I had no problem bidding farewell to the Kaabah. Insyaalah, I shall return.

I skipped Friday prayer as I was going to perform the jamak in my room. At 1430 hrs, the five (5) of us was arranged to leave Mekah in a GMC. Imam Rodi gave me 600 SDR to pay Majid the Arab Driver, upon arrival. Promised and agreed.

We arrived at the Haj Terminal and off loaded the luggage. Majid now suddenly demanded and increased the fare to 750 SDR.  I had no choice but to top up and I was fuming mad. Arabs think we print money back home. The problem with Arab, they never honor promise and as I narrated before, Arabs love to make things difficult.

At the Haj Airport, a trolley cost 3 SDR each, shrink wrapping per item 20 SDR and Zam Zam water for 5 liter 9 SDR (Zam Zam water had to be collected at the Airport with presentation of Passports). 

The flight, SV 832 ETD at 2200 hrs and we were only allowed to check in at about 2200 hrs.  Five (5) of us had twelve (12) luggage to check in and we were only allowed two (2) each. The Check in Steward requested us to shrink wrapped four (4) luggage as two (2) to make a total of ten (10) to check in. On top of that only five (5) boxes of zam zam water permissible. When all was done, the Steward whispered to me and I understood. One hundred (100) Saudi Riyal changed hands for five (5) of us. That’s the name of the game and its HUDUD country. They have different terminology, baqsis.

SV 832 left Jeddah Airport at 2315 hrs with several Arab families with small children and babies on board heading for Malaysia to celebrate Aidilfitri. It was going to be nightmare during the whole flight.

18 July 2015: After the first meal served, I rolled up the blanket, covered my eyes and dozed off unconcerned of the environment. I was damn exhausted only awakened when the plane was cruising at 10,000 meter above Andaman Sea.

SV 832 landed at KLIA at 1315 hrs and all luggages for the five (5) Jemaah intact. My daughter and wife greeted my arrival.

HOME SWEET HOME, certainly glad to be home but sad to miss Mekah.

        

 Note:

1) I wish to thank Haji Azrai of Addeen Travel for having the confident to appoint me as Tour Leader. Looking after the welfare of Jemaah wasn’t an easy tasks, each one has different character, needs and personalities.

2) Alhamdullillah I had good health during my tenure as Tour Leader both in Medina and Mekah.

3) Surprisingly I was non temperamental during this Ramadan umrah.

4) The secret was personal touch with each and every Jemaah. Make each and every jemaah important and show concern. Never take petty thing lightly as every Jemaah wish for their money worth. Render priorities.
5) I was pleased the Hotel Management gave Addeen Travel a very good private corner at MZ Floor for our dining pleasure.