Just as the world is preparing for the holy pilgrimage, as the host is preparing, and as a few more days are left for the stoppage of Umrah given the Hajj, here's a quick set of tips to make the most of the short visit to Saudi Arabia.
Nusuk, launched by the Saudi Tourism Authority affiliated with the Ministry of Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in 2022, organised a five-day visit to the holy sites of Makkah and Madinah for select people who visited the two holy sites as well as the places of historic importance and shared their thoughts with the authorities.
Nusuk is the first-ever official planning, booking and experience platform, and it acts as the gateway to Umrah, helping the pilgrims create their Umrah itinerary to Makkah, Madina, and beyond. Nusuk helps visitors coming from outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has been the single platform for all religious visit purposes.
Oman Air has direct flights from Muscat to Jeddah, which takes nearly 3 hours plus (KSA is -1 to Oman), and the services on air are excellent. Services on Business Class outshine any other carrier, that flies between these two cities.
Day 1
Jeddah to Makkah
Makkah
Upon landing in Jeddah, take a cab to the holy city, Makkah for an hour's ride subject to traffic and mornings are usually free of traffic. Check-in at a nearby hotel overseeing the Haram and following, one can perform Umrah after fulfilling necessary religious obligations.
Take a stroll around the city, seek the help of a guide and in most cases, if it is a guided tour, one is safeguarded from the travel hiccups. Makkah, the holy city of Islamic believers across the world, is located in a desert valley in western Saudi Arabia. Makkah is also the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad and the faith itself. Several million arrive in the city every year either for Umrah (almost around the year) or for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Dating from the 7th century, the central Masjid al-Haram, the Sacred Mosque, surrounds the Kaaba, Islam’s most sacred shrine and people go around the Kaaba as part of the pilgrimage.
After performing Umrah, one can visit Masjid al-Haram and the nearby Clock Towers followed by Masjid Aisha, which is also known as 'Umm al-Mumineen' or Masjid Al-Taneem. A visit to the Al Muallaa Cemetery, Hira Cultural District and Hira Cave, Masjid Al Khaif, Mosque of the Jinn, Maqaam-e-Ibrahim, Thour Cave, Masjid Al Numra, Jabal Al-Rahmah, and the
Exhibition of The Two Holy Mosques and its Architecture.
Day 2
Makkah to Jeddah for Haramain train to Madinah
The Haramain High-Speed Railway, which directly connects the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina, via Jeddah and the King Abdullah Economic City, is one service that a visitor should not let go and one can enjoy the arid land as well as the futuristic Saudi on either side of the 449.2-kilometre-long main line.
Haramain High high-speed railway serves passengers through the Mecca and Medina provinces in western Saudi Arabia.
Day 3
Madinah
Madinah
On the third day, one can have a rich time in the city of Madinah, which is home to the vast Al-Masjid and Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque), which is a major Islamic pilgrimage site. Its striking Green Dome rises above the tombs of the Prophet Muhammad and early Islamic leaders Abu Bakr and Umar. The Masjid al-Qiblatain (Mosque with two Qiblah), is known as the site where the Prophet Muhammad received the command to change the direction of prayer to Mecca.
The top sights sites in Madinah include Al Masjid an Nabawi, Masjid Quba, Masjid Al Qiblatain, Dhul Hulaifah, Miqat Mosque, Dar Al Madinah Museum, The Green Dome, The Seven Mosques, Masjid Al Ghamamah, Al Baqi Cemetery, King Fahd Central Park, Uthman Ibn Affan's Farm and Well,
Cave of Bani Haram, Uhud Mountain, and most importantly, The International Fair and Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilisation, which is a must-visit place for the presentations inside take the visitor on a voyage of time and will get acquainted with an unseen era.
Day 4
From Madinah to Jeddah by Haramain train
On the fourth day, you have ample time to stroll through the historic port city on the Red Sea, which is also a modern commercial hub and gateway for pilgrimages to the Islamic holy cities Mecca and Medina. Resort hotels, beaches and outdoor sculptures line the Corniche, a seafront promenade anchored by the iconic King Fahd’s Fountain. The city’s Al-Balad historic district dates to the 7th century and retains traditional homes built from coral.
One must visit the King Fahad's Fountain, Al Shallal Recreational Park, Al Taybat International City Museum of Science and Information, Fakieh Aquarium, Masjid Shatie, Nassif House Museum, Local History Museum, Al Rahmah Mosque, Al Rahma Mosque, Waterfront Harbour, Jaffali Mosque, and the Balad Jeddah.
Day 5
Back to Makkah, shopping and flying back
On the fifth day, one has ample time to do window shopping in Makkah, where you can grab souvenirs and other memories that mark the visit to the holy cities.
"Above all, one shouldn't forget to register on Nusuk, just as it is used by travellers from all over the world, so that one can easily organise their entire visit, from applying for an e-Visa to booking hotels and flights and the like," said Maha bint Mulfi, from Saudi Tourism Authority (STA)
Nusuk was established based on the constant concern of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for the comfort and safety of visitors to the Holy cities, Makkah and Madinah, and its interest in the regular performance of Umrah, and making it available to the largest number of Muslims coming from outside of Saudi Arabia.
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