Hajj, A Journey of a Lifetime: An Insiders Look
#76
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA Concierge Key, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diam
Posts: 509
isaifan - thank you for sharing your experience. I am Muslim and I have learnt more from your report about Hajj than any other reading in my life. Absolutely amazing.
Thank you.
Thank you.
#77
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: DXB
Programs: EK Platinum
Posts: 289
Absolutely amazing report. As a non-Muslim living in Dubai for years I think I know a lot about Ramadan, Eid and Hajj - but this truly gave me a extremely great insight. Thanks so much for sharing all this!
#83
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 261
....How does the Saudi government and the tour groups handle different sects within Islam? ....
Also I make the following comment very respectfully... The account of hundreds dying from errant stones only a few years ago sounds barbaric, as well as your own experience of enduring serious health risks to fulfill a religious duty.
Also I make the following comment very respectfully... The account of hundreds dying from errant stones only a few years ago sounds barbaric, as well as your own experience of enduring serious health risks to fulfill a religious duty.
Usually different sects in Islam have there different compounds but in general they all follow the same ritual.
Imagine over 2 million moving at the same time from one place to another, that's a logistical nightmare, accident do happen, usually from people being trampled by other people, or a fire in a compound, every year brings more improvement in security by opening new roads and tunnels, new fire prevention measures etc...
Never heard of hundred of peoples dying from errant stones, usually the stones are as small as pebbles, injuries are common yes but that was before the opening of the improved site...
Imagine over 2 million moving at the same time from one place to another, that's a logistical nightmare, accident do happen, usually from people being trampled by other people, or a fire in a compound, every year brings more improvement in security by opening new roads and tunnels, new fire prevention measures etc...
Never heard of hundred of peoples dying from errant stones, usually the stones are as small as pebbles, injuries are common yes but that was before the opening of the improved site...
Isaifan
Thank you for an excellent report. You did a great job trying to describe the atmosphere of those few days where millions of people gather to accomplish a spiritual trip.
That cough, we all suffered from it, my own explanation and i might be wrong, is that the change of climate few times during the day from air conditioning rooms to a strong heat outside the tents.
The Saudi government is trying it best and learning new lessons every year and improving the logistics of hosting so many people at the same time in the same place.
Less and less each year people dying from incidents during the Hajj.
Again thank you.حج مبروك وذنب مغفور تقبل الله منكم ومنا صالح الأعمال
The above writing in Arabic is the usual wishes to whoever accomplish the Hajj ritual wishing them that God accept there Hajj and forgive there sins.
Thank you for an excellent report. You did a great job trying to describe the atmosphere of those few days where millions of people gather to accomplish a spiritual trip.
That cough, we all suffered from it, my own explanation and i might be wrong, is that the change of climate few times during the day from air conditioning rooms to a strong heat outside the tents.
The Saudi government is trying it best and learning new lessons every year and improving the logistics of hosting so many people at the same time in the same place.
Less and less each year people dying from incidents during the Hajj.
Again thank you.حج مبروك وذنب مغفور تقبل الله منكم ومنا صالح الأعمال
The above writing in Arabic is the usual wishes to whoever accomplish the Hajj ritual wishing them that God accept there Hajj and forgive there sins.
Bro--that was an amazing trip report--my coworkers were asking me left and right about Hajj, and i pointed out your TR. Great work on describing the rituals and the process. I personally did Umrah a couple years back, but Hajj is a whole different atmosphere.... May your Hajj be accepted, and I hope you have returned safely and healthy. MY dad came back with that cough and lasted like 2 weeks. Eid Mubarak!
At Geneva Airport I often see people going on Haj dressed in white.
They seem to fly on Egyptair and not Saudia everytime I see them.
It seems that Saudia would be more convenient.
A Muslim friend of mine told me the prices are extremely expensive. However he is Ismaeli and they don't go on the Haj.
They seem to fly on Egyptair and not Saudia everytime I see them.
It seems that Saudia would be more convenient.
A Muslim friend of mine told me the prices are extremely expensive. However he is Ismaeli and they don't go on the Haj.
Yes, prices are expensive, especially these last few years. In the last few years, there has been a lot of demolition of old hotels, the room capacity has decreased. I'm expecting that when the new buildings and hotels are open, and more supply of rooms are available, prices will decrease.
Thanks for taking the time to write this up. What makes this outstanding, is that it focuses on what you did on your travels, not just the movies on the plane etc...
Just a few questions:
1) Is there any criticism that it is so expensive to do this?
2) Were there any members of Nation of Islam that you could see?
3) Would a single woman go on their own?
4) Do people bring children? Are children allowed to go?
Thanks again!
Just a few questions:
1) Is there any criticism that it is so expensive to do this?
2) Were there any members of Nation of Islam that you could see?
3) Would a single woman go on their own?
4) Do people bring children? Are children allowed to go?
Thanks again!
1) Not really. The fees to the Saudi Government are fairly low, I think about $200 per person. The rest is for the hotels, or apartment owners, tour operators, etc. Basic economic supply and demand. High demand, high prices.
2) That is the beauty of the Ihram. There is no differentiating between different cultures, professions, wealth, etc.
3) If a woman is above 50, I believe, she can go without a male guardian.
4) They are allowed, but very few people bring children. It would be very difficult for both the child and parent.
Nothing new I can really say that hasn't already been posted. An amazing trip report. We had recently been talking to a taxi driver in Muscat who wants to go the the Hajj, but has paid for his children to go before going himself. Really fascinating to read about it first hand. I hadn't realised that it was so difficult.
Awesome trip report.
Thanks for sharing.
But I'm curious, what's in the big box in the middle of the stadium where the people walk around? Sorry don't mean to offend, but I'm not sure what else to call it. Or maybe it's an open air mosque?
In any case, I thought it was a tomb/burial grounds of sort?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks for sharing.
But I'm curious, what's in the big box in the middle of the stadium where the people walk around? Sorry don't mean to offend, but I'm not sure what else to call it. Or maybe it's an open air mosque?
In any case, I thought it was a tomb/burial grounds of sort?
Thanks in advance!
The building in the middle of the Mosque is called the Kaaba
Suggest reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba
http://www.reference.com/browse/Kaaba
Suggest reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba
http://www.reference.com/browse/Kaaba
Great question. The Mena tents are separated by countries and regions. so you would stay with people from your country. North America and Europe, are in a similar region of Mena. The African countries are in another. Asian countries are another. Walking through Mena to the Jamarat, is like going through a world fair.
#84
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Gold Hilton-Starwood-ClubCarlson-LeClub /Amex/ Gold Cathay-Silver BA-Etihad Silver
Posts: 78
MashaAllah - Praises to God
Thank you so much for this trip report it is beautiful. We are planning an Umrah trip and then Hajj as people always say you need so much patience for Hajj.
It is beautiful to see all the photos, what an awesome experience.
Thank you so much for this trip report it is beautiful. We are planning an Umrah trip and then Hajj as people always say you need so much patience for Hajj.
It is beautiful to see all the photos, what an awesome experience.
#85
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: UA, Bonvoy, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,582
Wow--really, really cool. I always wondered about this process, which is quite mysterious to us non-Muslims (and especially to a Jewish person such as myself, as our faiths are similar in so many ways, and yet most of us know very little about the Muslim spiritual experience).
Thank you for sharing this with us all, and congratulations on completing your Hajj! ^
Thank you for sharing this with us all, and congratulations on completing your Hajj! ^
#88
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: ist
Posts: 36
Eid mubarrak to all Muslims among us. What a gr8 TR. Wish i had made this once in a lifetime experiene aswell. Maybe next year insaallah. and of course Hajj mubarak esp to you and ur wife and to all people who made this journey