Preparing for Umrah: A Guide for First-Time Pilgrims
Only a few fortunate Muslims get to travel to the sacred house of the Almighty for Umrah. This is why everyone feels pressured to ensure their spiritual retreat goes smoothly. No one wants to waste this golden opportunity with some mismanagement accidents or problems. A guide for first-time pilgrims is the only way to ensure you do everything right to have the most unforgettable Umrah journey.
First-time pilgrims feel a lot of responsibility to ensure their pilgrimage goes as expected. No doubt, the planning and preparation part can be a little daunting, but professional help can go a long way. If you don’t have anyone with pilgrimage experience, you always have access to the various guides and information online, just like this one. Here is a comprehensive guide for all the first-time pilgrims from the USA. So, as a US citizen, you must know about all these important things while preparing for your Umrah.
Explore Your Visa Options as a US Citizen
You must have heard that every foreign Muslim must avail of the Umrah visa to travel to Saudi Arabia for a minor pilgrimage. However, there are some exceptions or additional options for you if you are a US citizen. Since KSA started welcoming tourists other than pilgrims, it has introduced the tourist eVisa. As a US citizen, you can perform your voluntary pilgrimage if you have a tourist visa in the region. This condition applies to citizens of only a few specified countries; luckily, the US is one of them.
So, make sure that you compare the two visas and see which one will suit you the best. Some important things about the two visa options include:
Umrah Visa
Only Muslims can apply for it.
It is a single-entry visa.
People with an Umrah visa can only enter Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah.
The visa application process requires contacting an authorized travel agency or the local Saudi Embassy to get additional pilgrim perks, such as taking Zamzam water back home.
You can stay for ninety days in the region with the Umrah visa.
Tourist eVisa
Anyone can apply for this visa.
Citizens of only 49 countries, including the US, can perform an Umrah with this visa.
Travelers who want to visit KSA for business or tourism must get this visa.
You can enter the region multiple times with this visa.
The visa application process is done through an online platform. You can apply for this visa yourself.
The visa application and approval process is faster and more straightforward.
You don’t get the specific pilgrim perks with this type of visa.
Book the Ideal Umrah Package
Once you have decided a time to perform your pilgrimage, you will have to start looking for Umrah packages from USA. Many local travel agencies in the region offer the services. Make sure to avail of the services of an authorized travel agency.
Typically, the Umrah packages have standard services like visa, accommodation, and flight. However, some travel agencies give you the freedom to customize your Umrah packages. You can ask for and add any additional services that you want during your pilgrimage, like transportation and meals.
Therefore, remember that choosing the right Umrah package is crucial for a smooth pilgrimage. It helps you eliminate all kinds of distractions, as everything is already taken care of, and enables you to focus on your faith-reviving journey.
Learn About Umrah Rituals and Rules
Umrah has specified rituals, and every ritual has rules that the pilgrims must follow. Even though you can get guidance during your Umrah journey to maximize your time in the region and avoid inconvenience, learn about the Umrah rituals and rules beforehand. The four main Umrah rituals include:
Ihram
The first ritual of Umrah involved purifying yourself and dressing yourself in two pieces of plain white unstitched clothing. Women can wear anything that completely covers their body and head. This state has numerous rules and restrictions you must abide by. So, learn about these rules before embarking on your spiritual journey.
Tawaf
The second Umrah ritual is Tawaf. This involves circumambulating the cubic structure seven times.
Sa’i
Sa’i is the third ritual of Umrah. During Sa’i, you must walk seven times between the sacred hills of Safa and Marwah.
Halq/Taqsir
Your Umrah ends with Halq-Taqsir. This is the last ritual where men must shave their heads or cut their hair to equal lengths, and women must trim a few inches of their hair. You must also cut your nails during this ritual.
Final Words
Umrah preparations consist of various factors. Once you have chosen the correct visa, booked the ideal Umrah package, and learned about the Umrah rituals, you will have peace of mind and be ready for this spiritual retreat. As mentioned above, a guide for first-time pilgrims has all the essential factors. Once you have taken care of it all, you can start packing for your journey, which is also a hefty task requiring much care and attention. But this is the last task you must do before embarking on your faith-reviving pilgrimage.
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