Makkah or Mecca is a holy city for Muslims in Saudi Arabia. No non-Muslims are allowed to enter in the city. For them, there are road signs. If you are a Muslim, you can visit Makkah for Hajj or Umrah. Hajj is obligatory for the Muslims, who can afford, while Umrah is optional. It is the holiest place for the Muslims due to the birth of the Holy Prophet PBUH and as a center of Islam.
How to Get in Makkah?
There are several agencies which offer Hajj and Umrah packages to the Muslims around the globe. The Government subjects specific VISA to them. For females, it is necessary to accompany a Mehram to perform the pilgrimage or Umrah. You can travel by plane, if the distance is more. Otherwise, car and bus traveling is also possible.
Where is Kaabah?
There is a Holy Mosque known as Masjid-al-Haram. It is around the Kaaba, Baitullah. The Kaabah is in the center of the mosque. The pilgrims make 7 rounds around it, the place where the Muslims throw stones to the Shaitan is called Mina. The Hujjaj stay at night in the desert of Muzdalifah. The place where the Holy Prophet PBUH delivered His last sermon is called Hill of Arafat & Jabal Rahma.
The cave of Hiraa is a worship place of the Holy Prophet PBUH. It is worth visiting. Besides, there are a lot of points to take a tour of, such as Jabal-al-Thur, Masjid-e-Taneem, Hudaibiyah, Jannat-ul-Mualla, Ja’aronah and Abraj-al-Bait (Royal Clock Tower, one of the highest buildings of the Saudi Arabia).
Where to Sleep and Stay?
There are numerous hotels in Makkah that provide excellent facilities to the Muslims. You can choose any of them best suited to your budget. Some are counted as the world’s best hotels. However, you should reserve at your earliest, when you come to know about the date of traveling. Some are quite near to the Holy Kaabah while some are distant ones. Conveyance is also available for the travelers.
Among the most famous hotels, a few names are Dar-al-Tawhid Makkah, Inter-Continental Mekkah, Hotel Elaf-al-Huda, Movenpick Hotel and Residences Hajar Tower Makkah. There rooms are modern, airy and well-furnished. Marble baths are available attached to the rooms. The staff highly cooperates the visitors, in case of any need. Their food, sleeping arrangement and stay is simply awesome.
You can find a lot of agencies online with detailed Hajj and Umrah packages, in which stay, transport and food is included.
Stay Safe in the Overcrowd Areas
Every year, many Muslims pass away due to the over-crowding, rushes and dangerous points visit. Also, there are chances of the pickpockets. So, open your eyes, try your best to stay safe and must keep the important emergency contact numbers in your mobile.
What to Eat?
There is a wide variety of food available in Makkah hotels for the tourists. You can enjoy the Pakistani or Indian meals, American fast food and much more. The law strictly forbids Haram items of food. Zamzam water is considered the holiest water and a great blessing of Allah. Billions of Muslims take it with them on return.
In short, you can have tasty meals of your own choice at the affordable prices.
ALLAH IS GOOD FOR THIS HOLY HOUSE