Are you a woman planning to embark on a solo Umrah journey? You are at the right place. This article highlights essential safety measures, packing tips and the types of women-only group options like Umrah packages from Manchester that you can consider before embarking on your spiritual journey. Keep reading till the end to equip yourself with the maximum knowledge to make your pilgrimage stress-free and convenient.
Safety Measures for Solo Women
It is important to stay vigilant during your stay in a foreign country to avoid any trouble. Keep the following safety measures in mind before commencing your solo Umrah journey.
Travel and Hotel Safety
Women should pay special attention when choosing a travel agency for their travel. Make sure to opt for a reliable and licensed company to save yourself from scams. You can choose from a number of Umrah packages according to your needs and comfort demands. We recommend you choose a reputable women-friendly deal to ensure maximum comfort during the journey. For example, if you live in Manchester, then search for the Umrah packages from Manchester that are specifically tailored for female pilgrims.
Another crucial step to consider is your accommodation. Before booking a hotel, see its location and distance from the House of Allah Almighty. This is because a short walking distance between the two places will save your time and energy. As there are numerous hotels near the Haram, you will feel safe being surrounded by other pilgrims. As it will be more convenient for you to live in a room on the women-only floor, you can request the hotel management to allot a room accordingly.
Transportation Safety
Although Saudi Arabia has a low crime rate, it is wise to take care of yourself to prevent any mishap. You will often need a transportation facility to travel to different places in the city, as well as for intercity travel. Only use the official transportation services like public buses or shuttle services included in your Umrah package. Moreover, we also recommend avoiding private ride offers and unregistered taxis.
Safety in the Haram
Women pilgrims should stay vigilant in the Haram as well. Solo female travellers should be more aware of their surroundings as they do not have any family member or friend with them for support. Save yourself from pickpockets as they can be present anywhere. It is thus essential to keep your belongings safe in crowded areas.
Stay alert during peak hours in Haram as there is a larger crowd than usual due to the extensive religious activity. It is also important to learn about crowd management during the rituals of tawaf and sa’i. Stay in the outermost corner during tawaf and use the outer tracks for better space and flow. Do not hesitate and abruptly inform the guards in case of any type of harassment.
Communication and Connectivity
While you are away from your family and loved ones, do noy forget to inform them about every step of your journey. Share your location with them and send them the details of your hotel or private residence. This is because they can always contact the hotel management or access your shared details in case of any issue. Another key point is to make sure that you have an international SIM in your phone that is functional. Furthermore, keep enough data in your phone that you can use in case of no wifi in the Haram or internet disruption in your hotel.
Document and Identity Safety
Keep your essential documents and records safe in a separate bag that you can access easily without struggling to find. Some of these documents include your passport, visa and ID. You will need these for verification after arriving in the country as well as at the time of your departure. Also, keep copies of these documents, so that you do not need to find a photocopier to get things done.
Personal Security Habits
Accompany someone if you want to go out at night and also avoid non-crowded areas. Moreover, dress modestly according to the culture of Saudi Arabia. Do not wear revealing clothes to respect the Saudi cultural norms. Always trust your instincts and do not talk to strangers or share any personal information with them.
Packing Tips
Let’s talk about some of the packing tips that will help you during the pilgrimage.
Clothing and Personal Care
Pack your clothing according to the weather in Makkah. The city has hot weather throughout most of the year; however, pack accordingly if you are going in the winter season. It was mandatory for the female pilgrims to wear an abaya in the Haram’s vicinity. But things have changed now as you can wear any modest clothing covering your head and body, except hands and face. Pack lightweight hijabs and underscarves as well. Do not forget to keep socks and inner wear comfortable for long walks.
Personal care is something not to be neglected during the Umrah tour. Keep some unscented toiletries such as shampoo, soap and lotion. Make some space for sanitary products as well. We will also suggest keeping a reusable water bottle and a light blanket or shawl for sudden temperature changes.
Religious and Health Items
Keep a pocket-sized Quran in a small pouch that you can read anytime and anywhere. Also, keep a small dua diary or book that you can take out to recite duas during Umrah rituals like tawaf and sa’i. Do not forget to pack a foldable and light prayer mat as well.
Keep a basic first aid kit in a separate pouch in which you can find band-aids, antibiotics or pain relievers at the hour of need. You are going to need face masks and hand-sanitisers a lot, so make sure to add these to the list. Also, pack the prescribed medicines in this kit along with energy supplements.
Women-Only Group Options
There are numerous options of female group Umrah packages that you can avail to commence one of the most memorable and spiritual journeys of your life. These options not only offer emotional and spiritual support but you also feel secure while surrounded by the pilgrims of the same gender. We will look at some women-only group options that are easier especially for first-time solo travellers.
You can opt for the all-inclusive option that covers all amenities like flights, accommodation, visa processing as well as meals and ziyarat tours. Another option is to select the customizable packages which offer relatively more privacy than other groups. In this option, you can customise your stay according to your needs. For example, it allows you to tailor the length of your stay or choose a specific type of accommodation.
While searching for the right one, you will also come across 3-star, 4-star and 5-star options. These options vary in the quality of services they provide. For instance, 3-star groups provide less equipped hotels and fewer amenities as compared to the 4-star and 5-star packages.
If we talk about the services provided by the group Umrah packages, then there are numerous of them. One such benefit is that the pilgrims get a female guide who instructs them about all the rituals and provides knowledge during Ziyarat tours.
Wrap Up
If you are a Muslim woman who is planning to start her solo Umrah journey, then following the above guide will make your pilgrimage easier and secure. Understand the safety measures, packing tips and the types of group Umrah packages for women before booking the best Umrah packages from Manchester or anywhere around the world. Following the above tips will not only allow you to choose a reliable Umrah deal but also ensure a safe and secure travel. Choose Muslims Holy Travel to undertake a well-tailored Umrah itinerary.
