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From Madinatul Munawwaraah to Makkahtul Mukarramah by Road

Group Transport

About three days before your intended departure for Makkah, send a couple of your reps. to the Aadillah Establishment offices, (situated at the physical address depicted on the business card given to you on entering Madinah), for your group transport back to Makkah.  This is one of the opportunities to utilize your Madinah-Makkah transport coupons.  The reps. will identify your passports which will still be detained at this office.  The officer will issue a letter to your reps. depicting the address of the designated bus park, bus number and approximate departure time.  This letter will also have your names with your group leader’s name on the top.

Again, arrange the time approximately an hour or two after Esha, as this is the coolest time to travel and without having to worry about any impending Farz Salaat.

On the departure day, arrange for private transport to take you all to the designated bus stop where you will hand over the letter to the Muassassas branch officer.  Your passports, (having been sent from the main office the previous day), will have to be identified again and the same will be handed over to your designated bus driver.

The wait here can be long, (for the bus to fill up with passengers), so be patient.  Ablution block, toilets, prayer area, food and snacks available here.

Masjid-e-Meeqaat

On your exit from Madinah for Makkah, approximately 15 minutes later, (about 5-10 km), is Bier Ali, (Zul-Hulaifah), where one can have a bath, put on one’s Ihraam and pray 2 Rakaats Sunnatul Ihraam.  However, this area tends to be congested and not so clean, so it is better to have the ghusl at your hotel in Madinah before departure.

In addition, put on your Ihraam in Madinah, keeping the head covered, but do not pray the 2 Rakaats Sunnatul Ihraam, or say the Niyyat or Talbiyyah.  (You are not yet a Muhrim).

At Bier Ali is a large Masjid where you will renew your Wudhu, (if need be), pray the 2 Rakaats Sunnatul Ihraam, (if it is not a Makrooh time), and say the Niyyat and Talbiyyah.  You are now a Muhrim.

BEWARE, people I have known have lost both valuables and petty items from the ablution block and from the shelves outside this Masjid.

Because of the above, take only what is essential into the Masjid, i.e. your documents and money, but leave your hand luggage in your bus when disembarking at Bier Ali.  Make arrangements among yourselves for someone to stay by the bus for security reasons.  Also make a written note of the bus registration number as all the buses look alike.

Once you are a Muhrim, refreshen yourself by the bus park, where snacks, drinks and fruits are sold.  This is because you have a long, 5 hour journey with maybe one stop, (Fajr), and then approximately a 2-3 hour delay at the Makkah check-point, which is about 10 km outside Makkah.  This is called the “Pilgrims Grouping Center”.

Madinatul Munawwaraah to Jeddah by Air, (En-Route to Makkahtul Mukarramaah)

Please make bookings early for your return to Jeddah.  (There are no direct flights to Makkah!).  It is advisable that as soon as you have settled in Madinah, purchase your one-way return ticket to Jeddah.  There is no need for reconfirmation once the ticket is purchased.  The Saudi Arabian Airlines office can be quite congested.

About three days before your intended departure, inform the Aadillah Establishment offices.  Send a couple of your reps. to this office where your passports will be identified.  The reps. will also be given a letter depicting the physical address of the bus park, bus number and departure time of your group transport to the airport.  On the day of departure, make arrangement for private transport to take you to the designated bus park.  Alternatively, you could make private arrangement to take you to the airport direct, if it is allowed!  Your passports will be handed over to the respective driver who in turn will give them to the Aadillah Establishment branch office at the airport.

On the return, it is possible that the plane may land at the Saudia Terminal, not Hajj Terminal, from where group transport, (or private transport, if allowed!), will be arranged by the Unified Agents’ office for your trip to Makkahtul Mukarramaah.

Jeddah airport to Makkah is 72km, a journey which normally takes less than an hour may take as log as five hours, again because of various checkpoints.

Your passports will be handed to the Unified Agents’ officer who will in turn hand them to the respective driver taking you to Makkahtul Mukarramaah.  Before reaching the city you will be halted at the Makkah checkpoint, also called the “Pilgrims Grouping Center.”

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