16000 Buses Ready to Serve 1.33m Hajj Pilgrims

Twenty-three transport companies, under an umbrella of the General Cars Syndicate, have readied 733,000 seats in 16,000 buses to transport 1.33 million Haj pilgrims between Makkah and various holy sites, according to Osama Mulla, general secretary of the syndicate.

Mulla said that the syndicate has made its operating plans for Haj 1437H with well-equipped buses. It includes 1,106 new buses at a cost of SR380 million. They will have all means of safety and comfort, with the best international standards used for this type of transport means. All these facilities will be to provide safe transport facilities for Haj pilgrims and visitors to the Holy Mosque of Madinah.

He said that so far, 18 centers have been readied on the expressways between Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah for help and support in case of any breakdown of buses.

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All these centers are linked electronically with the head office of the syndicate.

He said that there will also be drivers, technicians, buses, workshops and baggage transfer facilities available at these centers to reduce the time in dealing with cases of breakdowns, and prevent accidents on the expressways.

He said that any breakdown on the Madinah-Makkah road will be dealt with within 58 minutes, which includes repairing of the buses, and the same service on the Makkah-Jeddah would require 53 minutes.

Mullah said that there is unified electronic system ready to follow movement of fleets of buses of various companies working under the umbrella of the syndicate during Haj. This electronic system aims to make sure that the movement of the buses is correct and the time of repairing of buses is reduced.

He said that this year after 11 p.m., in view of safety reasons Haj pilgrims would not be sent to and from Madinah.

He said that the work schedule of the drivers would be made so that they are not tired or exhausted in Makkah and Madinah, to avoid any kind of accidents. If any driver would be found to be tired or exhausted, he would be replaced by another driver, who be made available for such requirements at all these centers.

Hajj Umrah Checklist

Those embarking upon Hajj or Umrah are embarking upon a Journey of life time – a Journey like none other! They must prepare mentally, physically, emotionally and most importantly spiritually. Allah says:

“And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.).

So fear Me, O men of understanding!” (Quran 2:197)

So what ever you do don’t leave this behind!

Below a list has been compiled for preparation before leaving for Hajj or Umrah:

• Islamic things to learn
• Islamic things to do
• General things to do
• Issues and Questions to ask our Travel Agent
• Things to take/buy

Islamic things to learn

• What is Hajj, its history
• Why are we going to perform Hajj/Umrah
• What are the rewards of Hajj/Umrah
• How to perform Hajj/Umrah – its pillars, obligatory and sunnah actions (books, audio, videos, seminars) – the Prophet Muhammad (s) said: “Take yor hajj rites from me”
• Learn the relevant dua’s
• What violates the state of Ihram
• Review our prayers (Salah) and purification (Wudu)
• Ettiquettes of Duaa
• Wiping over our socks instead of washing our feet for wudu (know its rulings)
• Tayammum – when one does not have access to water (know its rulings)
• Janaza Salah (there are a lot of funeral prayers in both the Holy Masaajid)
• Learn how to perform Witr prayer
• Learn how to pray in congregation
• Learn the rulings to the travellers prayer

Islamic things to do

• Update/Make an Islamic Will
• Build on and improve on our ibadah (worship)
• 5 daily prayers on time: Build our relationship with Allah, seeking alot of forgiveness and making alot of dua (especially asking Allah to grant us a Mabrur Hajj / Umrah (one which is accepted)
• Purify our hearts from any bad habits or any action displeasing to Allah
• Purify our tongues – by speaking good, reduce idle talk and increase in dhikr
• Try to do the optional fasts (e.g. Monday & Thursday / middle 3 days of month)
• Try and pray Tahajjud (the night prayer)
• Build on your Taqwaa (consciousness of Allah(SWT)
• that He is watching us /Fearing Allah /Staying away from all that He has forbidden, etc.
• Reciting the Quran and reflecting upon its meaning and implementing them /Learn about Jannah and Jahannum, etc.
• Increase our Emaan (faith)
• Constantly renew your intentions to why you are going for Hajj – it is a duty we owe to Allah, we are going to please Allah alone
• Build on being patient
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Say Alhamdulillah for the good and bad
• Think of those in worse situations
• Make dhikr and istighfar when in difficult situation
• Increase on your love for Allah and His Nabi (S) by studying the life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the stories of the Sahaba and how they sacrificed their everything for Islam (their wealth, health, status, time and even lives)

General Things to do

• Pay off any outstanding debts (if possible)
• Make peace with those we have had a misunderstanding, dispute or fallen out with, or are not on speaking terms etc.
• Ask forgiveness from those whom we have wronged (remember a Muslim does should not let 3 days go by without giving salaam to your fellow Muslim)
• Finish all important jobs and tasks that need doing before leaving for Hajj
• Book with a Travel Agent
• Photographs for VISA
• Process and obtain VISA
• Vacinations, Meningitis Jab, Flue Jab etc – Obtain certificates

Questions and Issues to ask your Travel Agent

• Get references from others for the travel agents
• Flight dates / journey
• What’s the itinary / program
• How many bathrooms per room?
• On which floor is our room?
• Do the rooms have air conditioning, fridge?
• Do the receptionists speak English?
• During the Hajj days, what type of food will be provided to us?
• Hotel names
• When will we move to Azziyah?
• What which day will our group go to Makkah to perform Tawaf Ifadah? Is transport provided
• How far is our Hotel from Masjid al haram and Masjid an nabawi?
• What are the arrangements for our Animal Sacrifice (Hady)?
• Does anyone in our group speak English, who will translate the hajj khutbah to us?
• What airline are we flying on?

There are many more questions one can ask, please refer to the book “Getting the best out of Al Hajj” – written by Ismail Davids (publisher company – Darrusalaam)

Things to take / buy

Below are just suggestions of things to take with you to Hajj. They are not all necesary items – individually pick and choose what you feel is best suitable. Don’t forget to pack bags of Taqwaa, Patience and your best of manners/behaviour! You will soon be a guest of Allah at His House!

• Hand Luggage – Essentials to take (Max 5kg, Dimensions: H 56cm x W 45cm x D 25cm)
  NOTE: Everybody has black suitcases, so try and take one that is not black OR have a fluorescent tape /tag /ribbon attached so its easily recognisable.

Islamic resources

• Pocket Qur’an, dua books
• Hajj/umrah books
• MP3 player
• Pen and pencil
• Notebook
• Musalla (i.e. prayer mat)

Clothes & Accessories

• Ihram * 2
• Slippers
• Trainers
• Waist pouch
• Folding umbrella
• Extra clothing
• Underwear,socks

Toiletries and medicines

• Tooth brush
• Tooth paste
• Comb
• Toilet or Tissue paper
• Soap * 2
• Shower gel +  shampoo bottle – Simple range and perfume free
• Vaseline (small)
• Paracetamol
• Plasters
• Nail cutter
• Any regular medication you take
• Small scissors
• Towels – 2 large, 2 small
• Cough-drops
• Disposable razors
• Napkins
• Plastic soap dish
• Deodorant
• Hair Oil (perfume free)
• Cream/balm eg E45 – for cracked skin on heels
• Slipers (2 Pairs)

Misc

• Money
• Passport inc visa
• Medical certificates – vaccinations
• Spare glasses (if necessary)
• Suitcase locks + keys
• Mobile phone
• Phone charger
• Mobile power Bank
• Emergency contact numbers
• Small stringed bag (for sandals/stones)
• Universal adapter
• Spare Luggage tags
• Carrier bags
• Photocopy of passport
• Plastic zippered sandwich bags – to keep items secure and dry
• Snack bars
• Sunglasses
• Travel alarm clock
• Sleeping bag
• 1 heavy sheet
• Inflatable pillow
• FACE MASK (may become useful in a breakout, or prevention)
• small flash light with extra batteries (useful for finding stones in Mina/Muzdalifah), travel alarm clock.
• Small travel iron, Extra travel bag and rucksack (will be useful in Mina/Arafat/Muzdalifah).

Source From http://darulfiqh.com/what-do-i-need-for-hajj-or-umrah-checklist/  

Hajj Umrah Checklist