Visit Most Famous Islamic Sites with Umrah Packages in UK

by Safeena Rahman Travel Addict

The United Kingdom is home to numerous Muslims who dream of performing their Umrah by visiting the holy city of Makkah located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is one of the Islamic pilgrimages undertaken by millions of Muslims worldwide and is quite different from the major pilgrimage of Hajj, which is performed in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Umrah involves lesser rituals as compared to Hajj and can be accomplished within a few hours. This is the reason why it is often referred to as the 'lesser pilgrimage' or the 'minor pilgrimage'. Another difference between these two pilgrimages is that the lesser pilgrimage can be performed at any time of the year.

The Umrah packages UK tour operators specialising in Islamic religious tours provide have made it a lot easier for the country’s Muslims to perform their lesser pilgrimage. As these tour operators have an online presence today, the prospective pilgrims can browse through all the available packages on their websites using smartphones and select a suitable package. They can go ahead and make their bookings after deciding their date of departure and the number of days they wish to spend in Makkah. If they can decide these dates several months in advance, they can book their desired package much earlier and get attractive discounts.

During their time spent in Makkah, they can utilise the amount saved for visiting the popular Islamic sites in the holy city and its surrounding areas. One of them is Masjid al-Jinn or 'Mosque of the Jinn'. It is one of the most important mosques visited in Makkah and is also one of the oldest in the city. The word 'Jinn' in its name refers to 'genies' that were supernatural creatures in pre-Islamic Arabia. According to the Islamic traditions, the mosque has been built at the spot where a group of jinn had gathered after sunset to hear Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recite a portion of the Holy Quran. They later met the prophet and embraced Islam.

Yet another important place that the pilgrims can explore is Mount Abu Qubais, located on Makkah's eastern frontier. This sacred mountain is believed to have been known as 'Al Amin' during the times when pagan Arabs lived in this region. According to popular legends, this mountain is also the place where the first of men lived and died. The Islamic traditions state that it was here that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had shown pagans the miracle of the 'splitting of the moon'.

Masjid-e-Taneem, a mosque located at a distance of about 5 miles from Kaabah, is another place worth visiting for the pilgrims. This is the place where Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) wife, Ayesha (peace be upon her), had entered the state of 'ihram' by wearing the mandatory pilgrim's clothing. Pilgrims who reside within a short distance from the Masjid al-Haram use this location to enter into the state of 'ihram' as it is the most convenient place for them. This mosque has excellent facilities offered for pilgrims as well as those who offer regular prayers in it.