Tips for Solo Female Umrah Traveller from UK : The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map:

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Submitted by Andy_B on Monday, 03 June 2024 Page Views: 10

Embarking on the Umrah journey is a long-lasting dream for all Muslims. It is extraordinary for women when they choose to do it alone. Check out this ultimate guide to make this dream a reality for UK-resident women who can perform Umrah solo.

Umrah is a spiritual journey, as it is known as the less pilgrimage to Mecca for all Muslims. It offers a series of rituals and an opportunity to take yourself into the era of Abraham by following in the footsteps of Prophet Abraham (AS) and his wife Hajra (RA). Unlike Hajj, it is possible to perform Umrah at any time in all months of the year. Therefore, this less pilgrimage is a golden opportunity for solo women from the UK to raise their spiritual level and establish a strong relationship with Allah (SWT).

Tips for Solo Female Umrah Traveler from UK

Today, the Saudi Government has taken several steps to empower solo female travel for Hajj & Umrah and other public & private sectors. Numerous hotels offer dedicated destinations for solo foreign female travellers. If you're British and wish to experience a solo Umrah journey from the UK, get the ultimate guide on preparing for this transformative experience, as well as dress codes, cultural taboos, and safety precautions. Hence, the following details enable you to plan an unforgettable solo Umrah trip from the UK.

Planning Your Solo Umrah Trip requires:

● Visa
● Documents
● Flights and Accommodation
● Essential Packing

Visa:

Fortunately, UK residents have many options and easy access to obtain an Umrah permit. Being a solo lady, you can apply for your e-Visa directly through the Saudi authorities in addition to the Umrah visa.

In this electronic permit, you have:

● Visit visa (this refers to tourism and allows the visit visa holders to enter the Kingdom for one year)
● Waiver visa (mainly obtain it as it covers business, education, health, Umrah, and tourism activities for six months)
● Transit Visa (permission for Umrah and tourism with a four days stay)
● Umrah visa (specially for Umrah travellers with a duration of 3 months)

What are the five documents you need?

1. Valid passport or BRB card
2. Passport-size photo with clear face and white background
3. Proof of residence during the stay in the Kingdom
4. Health insurance
5. Confirmed flight reservation

Most e-Visas take a few hours to reach you through the mail section, but it may be delayed by 1 to 2 days in exceptional cases. Don't forget to confirm that your passport is valid for six months up to any visa application, and carry printed copies of your visa throughout your Umrah journey from the UK.

To get the latest news and updates from the Saudi Ministry, follow the official Twitter account of "The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah" or visit the Saudi e-Visa portal. All the steps are simple so you can do them independently or entirely. Some recommended reliable travel agencies based in the UK provide e-Visa service in all their All Inclusive Umrah Packages. So, empower yourself to do Umrah from the UK alone by trusting them.

Flights and Accommodation:

Planning your trip abroad can be incredibly challenging. Still, it's something special when you're a British woman, and your destination to engage in religious activities is Saudi Arabia, which is ruled by Islamic law.

Being a solo foreign female traveller for Umrah, you should have the right choice for arriving in Jeddah or Madinah and staying at a hotel.

Choose your direct or connecting flight to Jeddah and Madinah according to your budget. In previous years, Mahram was a particular condition for performing Umrah. With time and following the Saudi vision of 2030, this strict condition is no longer for women. Therefore, women can arrive from the UK at Saudi Arabian airports alone and be allowed to perform Umrah alone in Makkah; even if they are under 45 but under eighteen, a guardian will be required.

Don't delay booking here; this quote works on a first-come, first-served basis. So follow this quote today if you plan to go for next 2 to 3 months. Advance Schedule helps you consider budget-friendly and desirable accommodation during the recommended Umrah season. Try analysing by finding reviews from other solo female travellers for valuable insights. Remember, the best tips for women-friendly accommodation are to stay near the Al Haram and the Al Nabavi Mosques.

Essential Packing:

The packing list differs for men and women, depending on whether the packing is related to the Umrah trip from the UK or elsewhere. Therefore, women must make a checklist of their needs, especially when planning a solo spiritual journey in an Islamic Middle Eastern country. It is true that the Kingdom has opened its doors to tourism and is welcoming numerous tourists worldwide, but it has also announced a dress code for women's Umrah.

What should you pack to join the pilgrimage?

Women do not need to get unstitched white clothes because they are bound to cover their body parts, especially the parts that attract others. So, their Umrah dress code should be loose cloth with neutral colours. Best for most of them, they should wear an Abaya over the clothes they usually wear. Covering the head is permitted, but not for the face and hands. As a UK female traveller, you must pack a travel bag with extra Ihram clothes, hijab, socks, and shoes.

According to current conditions, the climate of Saudi Arabia, especially Makkah and Madinah, is hot and dry throughout the year. So, choose a long, loose-fitting dress that covers your arms and legs completely.

Using tight-fitting clothes might be caused by considering you as an offender by Saudi Laws.

Local Saudi women's dress codes are as follows:

● Abaya (A long black cloak that covers a woman's whole body from shoulder to feet.)
● Hijab (A headscarf to cover the hair and neck.)
● Niqaab (It covers the face except the eyes.)
● Loose-fitting Clothes (It protects a woman's body from being revealed, among others.) Follow this overall dress code, i.e. dress up modestly. Saudi rules are more relaxed, contrasting our thoughts. Let's see what you can wear as an Umrah pilgrim from the UK:

Apart from climate and weather conditions, female pilgrims should wear modest clothing while performing the rites of Umrah. After that, they can wear their cultural dress but are not allowed to wear half skirts and tight jeans. There is no prohibition on wearing shoes and sandals, but they should be careful not to wear anything with human or animal prints.

Once you have got your desired Umrah package from the UK, the next step is to learn how to perform Umrah and what to pack for your travel bag.

Let's check again what is included in your Umrah checklist:

● Passport or BRB
● Visa
● Ihram (modest clothing)
● Personal hygiene products
● Primary medicine & first aid kit
● Comfortable shoes (without printing on any living creature)
● Extra hijab
● International Charger
● Smartphone

Don't forget to get the return flight tickets, hotel booking voucher, transfer voucher, and Umrah guide's contact number (if desired). Today, the Saudi government has taken many steps to overcome language barriers guide and deal with women pilgrims. Every year, the number of Saudi women in the security field for Makkah and Madinah is increasing. This step will ensure a comfortable zone for performing Hajj and Umrah and visiting other historical and deeply connected religious sites.

Which valuable numbers should be included in the mobile phone of a Solo British woman going on an Umrah trip?

She should add all the relevant numbers to help him throughout the spiritual journey. Don't forget to include your Umrah agent number and relative numbers in the list of these vital numbers. In an emergency, it is essential to include some emergency numbers in the mobile phone numbers section.

A list of emergency numbers for Saudi Arabia:

● Police: 999
● Ambulance: 997
● For traffic accidents: 993
● Civil defense: 998
● Highway Patrol: 996
● Tourism call center: 930

Frequently asked Questions on Solo Female Umrah traveller from the UK:

Q. How long is Umrah?

A. No additional time is required to perform Umrah as a woman, whether she plans to travel alone or with someone. It can happen in a few hours; around 2 to 3 hours is enough for a woman.

Q. Can you do Umrah on your period?

A. No, you cannot join Umrah during your period. A menstruating woman can enter the state of Ihram, but Tawaf and Sa'i are not permissible for her. If one is afflicted with this natural condition, she can wear holy clothes by reaching the nearest Meqat Masjid Aisha (Tanim) for the residents of Makkah. Today, you can take certain medicines to ensure you stay away from menstruation during Umrah rituals.

Q. Are there specific Umrah dresses for women?

A. No, there is no specific recommendation regarding the Umrah dress code for women. They can wear the clothes they wear in normal life, but make sure they are loose-fitting and non-transparent clothing that does not reveal their body's curves. Some wear a black or white abaya to cover their clothes, but they are free to choose any colour. By the way, an Abaya is not as strict a rule as two unstitched sheets for men.

Hotel Recommendations for Solo Umrah Pilgrims (Female):

There are many hotels for accommodation during the Umrah trip, but choosing the best hotel is essential when travelling alone as a woman from Britain. The best recommendation of travel experts like Islamic UK Travel Agency Labbaik Hajj Umrah advises family or group travellers, mainly if it includes children, older people, and women, to take the nearest option for accommodation in Makkah and Madinah. As a solo Umrah traveller, you can pick these seven best luxury hotels in Makkah and Madinah from this table.

No. ● Makkah ● Madinah

1. Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower ● Crowne Plaza Madinah
2. Jabal Omar Marriott Hotel Makkah ● Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick Hotel
3. Makarem Ajyad Makkah Hotel ● Emaar Royal Madinah
4. Al Shohada Hotel ● Millennium Al Aqeeq Madinah Hotel
5. Infinity Hotel Makkah ● Dar Al Hijra InterContinental
6. Pullman ZamZam Makkah ( Clock Tower ) ● Pullman Zamzam Madina
7. Swissotel Makkah ( Clock Tower ) ●
Crowne Plaza Madinah

Q. Can a single woman perform Umrah without a male relative?

A. Yes, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has allowed a single woman to perform Umrah without any male relatives.

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