Things to Consider Before Choosing Umrah Packages

by Safeena Rahman Travel Addict

Hajj and Umrah are the two pilgrimages that Muslims all over the world long to undertake in their lifetime. The most important is, of course, Hajj. It is one of Islam's five pillars and obligatory for all those who are financially and physically capable of undertaking the journey from their home country to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Umrah, also known as the minor pilgrimage or the lesser pilgrimage is not an obligation for Muslims. However, it has its own spiritual rewards for those performing the pilgrimage. Above all, it is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Muslims residing in the United Kingdom can now choose any of the Umrah packages offered by the tour operators located in different parts of the country. These packages have come as blessings in disguise for the UK Muslims, as most of them end up postponing their visit to the holy city of Makkah every year owing to their limited budgets. Over the years, there has been a significant increase in the number of tour operators offering Islamic religious tours. This has given a wide range of choices for the country's Muslims in terms of packages for the lesser pilgrimage. They can now go through the packages offered by many of the tour operators and pick the one best-suited to their budget.

The tour operators often come up with some attractive Umrah package deals on various occasions. Such deals help the Muslims of the UK in getting their desired package at a lower cost. In recent times, most of these tour operators have their own websites, which has made it a lot easier for Muslims living in the UK to book their packages online. They can easily browse through the packages listed on such websites and select a suitable one. Most of the websites also give the option of easy customisation for the prospective pilgrims.

An Umrah package must always be booked with the right tour operator. This is done by verifying certain details before choosing a particular tour operator and going ahead with the booking. One of the most essential aspects of a travel agency or tour operator providing packages for Hajj and Umrah is that it must be authorised by Saudi Arabia's Hajj Ministry. It must also be approved by ATOL. The next thing to consider before deciding to book with a tour operator is the customer reviews and the number of years it has been in operation.

Some of the UK Muslims do not have any budget concerns and can book any of the available packages. They can go with the one that gives them comfortable stays in any of the elegant 5-star hotels located close to the Masjid al-Haram. Upon booking any of such packages, they can get to the holy mosque for performing their Umrah without any hassles. While staying in any of such elegant hotels, they can also have all the modern amenities provided for them. The latest facilities of the hotel would make their stay in Makkah pleasant and truly memorable.

For more information about performing Umrah in Easter, click here.