Hajj or Umrah, packing is a very critical step when you are preparing for the spiritual trip. These considerations will assist help you in ‘knowing’ you have everything you need in order to facilitate worship, during your trip, your pilgrimage will be smooth and stress-free. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to pack for Hajj or Umrah:
1. Documents and Essentials:
– Passport and Visa: See to it that your passport is still valid and your visa application has been granted. As a rule, retain the copies of these documents for safety purposes.
• Travel Itinerary and Tickets: Take physical hard copy of your flight tickets and hotel bookings.
• Vaccination Certificates: It is helpful to keep the required vaccination documents around for diseases such as meningitis handy.
• Identification Tags: Label your luggage with your name, phone number and address to avoid easily being stolen.
2. Clothing:
• Ihram: Two white unstitched sheets for men and decent, loose-fitting dress for women. Carry extra sets if needed.
• Comfortable Clothing: Ihram means person’s garments and general clothing, light-coloured and non-revealing clothing for regular use while on the sacred space outside of Ihram time.
• Lightweight Jacket: For relaxed evenings or when a room is to be air-conditioned later.
• Undergarments and Socks: Stock sufficient clothes for the entire period of your travel as washing facilities maybe very rare or inconvenienced.
3. Footwear:
• Comfortable Sandals or Slippers: Stations that are required for the bare transport from one holy site to another. Make sure they meet the ihram.
• Shoe Bag: To wear when riding a bicycle to mosque for carrying of the shoes.
4. Toiletries and Hygiene Items:
• Unscented Toiletries: Few of these products are allowable when under Ihram, this includes soaps, shampoo, deodorants as well as the toothpaste.
• Tissues and Wet Wipes: Cause of mobility, and religious observances respectively.
• Hand Sanitiser: For hand use for general purposes and travel sized for personal sanitation on the move.
5. Travel Accessories:
• Small Backpack: It enables people to carry their belongings when going about their normal busy routine.
• Prayer Mat and Beads: Portable and not heavy in weight.
• Portable Charger and Adaptors: Make sure your devices are fully charged including your phone.
6. Health Essentials:
• First Aid Kit: Spare strips of uniform and any other medications such as pain relievers, plasters, antiseptic…
• Reusable Water Bottle: To stay hydrated in the heat.
Proper packing makes one ready for the trip to the maximum level. Make your load as light as possible, carry only what you need during your pilgrimage so that you can enjoy the whole process.
