Hajj and Umrah both are the most awaited journeys for followers of the Islamic faith. Since both are pilgrimages to Makkah, they hold great importance for the believers. For which millions of Muslims from across the globe travel all around the year through their cheapest hajj packages for the performance of the holy rituals.
Since such a huge number of pilgrims gather at the same place and at the same time, safety should be the first priority for the pilgrims. While the official authorities ensure that a safe and secure hajj and umrah experience can be guaranteed, individual safety should also be taken care of. Therefore, here are some of the basic hajj and umrah safety tips for pilgrims.
Stay connected back home.
Pilgrims may carry a basic, unlocked mobile phone with a local Saudi sim. In fact, it is very easy to buy a SIM card after arrival in the Kingdom either from Makkah or Madinah. This can be of great help in case of emergencies as well as one must keep its family and friends updated on his/her whereabouts. So that in case of an emergency, timely action can be taken.
Make an identity card for yourself.
Making an identification card for yourself would greatly help you during the pilgrimage. You can make IDs on your own by writing down the following details:
- Your Complete name.
- Passport number and Visa Information.
- A few contact numbers of your friends and family either in the kingdom or back home.
- Information about the travel agency you are traveling with.
- Your hotel and flight ticket information.
- Diseases and/or allergies (if any).
Doing this will help you in case of medical emergencies, or any sort of unforeseen incident that might come your way.
Stay Alert.
When out of your hotel, stay very alert watching out for the pickpockets. Even while you are staying in the hotel always keep your valuables secure in a safe. This is among the many reasons pilgrims are advised to carry fewer valuables.
Despite this, avoid carrying too much cash in a crowded place. As this can divert all of your concentration from performing the rituals to being more concerned about the money and valuables you are carrying. Therefore, carry some amount of cash and make the rest of the payments through your debit/credit. Another thing to keep in mind is that, keep these things in a waist bag that is always with you.
Get vaccinated.
It’s among the necessary requirements for obtaining a Hajj/Umrah visa to submit proof of vaccinations for diseases like meningitis, Yellow Fever, Polio, etc. The vaccination requirements will surely differ depending on the region you are traveling from. It’s obligatory because the pilgrimage is undertaken by millions of people from across the globe, thus, vaccinations are a must to ensure a healthy and safe pilgrimage for everyone.
These are some of the hajj and umrah safety tips to consider.
