Fulfil the Lesser Pilgrimage with Affordable Umrah Packages

by Safeena Rahman Travel Addict

Umrah is given special importance by Muslims across the world as it is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and rewards the pilgrim performing it with some spiritual benefits. It is often called the 'lesser pilgrimage' or the 'minor pilgrimage' in comparison with the major pilgrimage of Hajj, which is among Islam's five pillars. However, Umrah is not an obligation for Muslims when compared to Hajj. The major pilgrimage is compulsory for all physically and financially capable Muslims and must be performed at least once during their lifetime. Although the lesser pilgrimage is not obligatory for Muslims, it is highly recommended.

Muslims living in the United Kingdom have to travel a long distance to the holy city of Makkah from their place of residence in the country in order to accomplish their minor pilgrimage. In recent times, the Umrah packages offered by the travel companies based in different parts of the UK have helped them in making their journey to Makkah affordable and hassle-free. Such packages include a stay in one of the elegant hotels in the holy city and flights of the leading airlines. These packages are also offered by the travel companies through their websites today.

The Umrah package deals offered through such websites on a few occasions help the UK Muslims in reducing the cost of their packages to a great extent. Usually, such deals are offered on bookings that are made well in advance. They are also made available on certain occasions, such as Christmas and Easter when the offices and educational institutions across the country are closed. Before going ahead with the bookings, it is essential to decide the dates much earlier. Once the date of departure and the number of days the pilgrim intends to stay in Makkah have been finalised, the bookings can be done without any worries.

An Umrah package must be booked only with the travel company authorised by the Hajj Ministry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary that the prospective pilgrims verify whether the company is approved by the Saudi Hajj Ministry before making the bookings. Next step would be to find the desired packages available with such companies. Once they have a few good choices, the overall cost of the packages offered by them must be compared along with the facilities provided for the pilgrim. Upon making comparisons, a suitable package can be chosen and booked without much delays.

Some of the prospective pilgrims may not be having any budget concerns and can go for the high-end packages. Many of the travel companies have such packages displayed on their websites under the category of 5-star packages. One of the reasons they are placed in this category is that the accommodation is provided in a luxurious 5-star hotel in Makkah located close to the Masjid al-Haram. Such stays give pilgrims greater convenience in getting to the holy mosque and performing their Umrah rituals with complete peace of mind. The modern amenities provided in such hotels also make their stays pleasant and memorable.

To get some valuable information on performing Umrah in Easter, click here.