Umrah is an Islamic worship that Muslims perform in Makkah (Saudi Arabia). Muslims from different countries of the world, including the UK, go to perform Umrah every year. The UK has a large Muslim community in its various cities. One of its famous cities is Bradford, where many Muslims live. More than one thousand Muslims travel for Umrah from Bradford every year.
So, if you are also planning Umrah from Bradford, then it’s important to take some necessary steps. This includes booking packages and making essential travel arrangements in advance. To do all this, there are many travel agencies in Bradford that offer packages. But here you will find a practical guide from starting the Umrah journey to performing its rituals in Makkah.
Pick the Perfect Bradford Package for Umrah
You may not manage the in-person visa, tickets, hotels, and transportation; the travel agency organises everything together. So, their Bradford packages for Umrah include a ready-made bundle of essential items required for Umrah. They offer different types of packages depending on your needs and budget. The packages that are mostly included are economy, standard, luxury, group, private, and family-friendly.
When choosing the perfect package according to your requirements, make sure that the concern agency is ATOL protected. Also, check out the reviews of previous customers and ensure package details are clear. If there is a problem, the agency or agent will help you. You will get proper guidance for Umrah travel.
Choose the Best Flight and Departure Option for Umrah Travel
When you are leaving Bradford to go to Umrah, you must take a flight to Saudi Arabia. You need to begin this trip at the closest airport where there are flights. Incidentally, the nearest departure gate to Bradford is Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA), just under 9 miles from the city centre. From here, most direct flights operate towards European holiday spots or cities. But flights to the Middle East for Umrah are generally not direct; they are connecting flights with stops. These transfers occur at large hubs within the Middle East.
Umrah flights are typically run direct by other major UK-based airports like London Heathrow or Manchester Airport. In case you require the most affordable and straightforward international flight regarding Umrah, you should fly through Manchester Airport (MAN). For this, you will have to two options, one is yourself and the other is a travel agency that can organise flights and Umrah from Manchester. Manchester airport is only 40-45 miles away from Bradford, which takes between 1 to 1.5 hours by car or train.
Enter into Ihram and Make the Intention for Umrah
You land at Jeddah or Madinah Airport from your departure point in the UK via direct or connecting flight. Before entering Makkah for Umrah, you must be in the state of Ihram. Ihram is not just a name of clothing, but a state of purity you adopt to perform Umrah rituals. You usually wear this on the Miqat or on the flight when it’s passing through there.
Ihram clothing for men is two white and unstitched clothes, one to wrap around the waist and the other to drape over the body. For women Umrah pilgrims, there is no specific dress code, just modest clothing according to Sharia. As soon as you wear Ihram, you enter a spiritual boundary. And this is the time when you go to Masjid al-Haram to perform Umrah rituals.
Before you start Umrah, you have to do intention (Niyyah) for the sake of Allah SWT only. This is not just something to say with the tongue only; it’s a commitment from the heart. You can say it like this: “O Allah, I make the intention of Umrah”. After this, you can officially perform Umrah for which you left Bradford.
Perform the Rituals of Umrah Correctly
The first step in Umrah rituals inside the Grand Mosque is to perform Tawaf around the Kaaba. First of all, you look at the Kaaba, which is a spiritual moment for every pilgrim. At this moment, you should make recitation and Duas. Then start Tawaf by circling the Kaaba seven times in counter clockwise direction. Keep in mind that Tawaf should begin from the Hajar-e-Aswad (Black Stone) corner of the Kaaba. In each round, you should recite supplications, Duas, or verses from the Holy Quran. After that, go to Maqam-e-Ibrahim to offer two Nafl Rak’at prayers and then drink Zamzam water.
Now, it’s time to perform Sa’ee between Safa and Marwah hills. You start Sa’ee from the Safa hill. You must complete the seven rounds again between both hills, and the last round will be completed on Marwah hill. It’s Mustahab to offer Duas and Dhikr in each lap. At the green light place, men perform the Sunnah by walking a little faster. If you are with family, then be patient and tolerant because there are a lot of crowds. However, in group tours, a guide will help with how to perform Sa’ee.
Keep Staying in Makkah and Madinah Within Your Package Days
Most Muslims from Bradford stay in Makkah for five to seven days and in Madinah three to five days. Some luxury packages take ten days or more. After completing the Umrah rituals, Muslims spend most of their time inside the Haram in recitation and Duas. In Makkah and Madinah, you will mostly stay in your hotel. Hence, the distance here is important, as elderly pilgrims face difficulties walking to Haram (Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi) every day. Choose accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, which are located within 10-15 minutes of walking distance.
You also visit the historical Ziyarat places during the remaining days after Umrah. These places include Cave of Hira, Cave of Thawr, Al-Mu’alla Cemetery, Jannat al-Baqi, Quba Mosque, Uhud Mountain, etc. Agencies arrange these Ziyarat places with stays in a way so that flights and hotels remain balanced (in terms of cost and convenience).
Now, your Umrah is completed, and after spending the remaining days in Makkah and Madinah, you can take your return flight to Bradford or Manchester Airport.
