1. Medication: If you are on regular prescribed medication. Please take these and extra supplies with you. Including inhalers, if you are on insulin etc Take – Paracetamol, Imodium you. (these will be in your *hand luggage* for access during travels). Check to ensure you know what medication is not allowed in KSA like Tramadol etc .
2. Aboniki or any sort or balm and or Massaging oil ( these will be in your check -in luggage)
3. Disposable underwear (for women).. these come handy in Minna, Muzdalifah, Arafat etc.
4. Comfortable Gown with inner pockets if possible long dresses with cool cotton fabric
5. Trousers with pockets (for women) not tights nor jeans please. It is hot in Saudi. Men should not forget to pack their clothes too😀
6. Comfortable Bra Tops ( for women).
7. Pullover Hijab (without pins). This comes handy for safety measures. If people pull, you it prevents the danger of injury with the pin or exposing yourself if it came off.
8. Extra Socks (All… very handy).
9. Travel adapter/Chargers and Power banks.
10. Sims – it is best to use a travel sim . or what is comfortable for you. Roaming is also an option if it works out cheaper for you.
11. Generally, WhatsApp is almost none functional but it works better with Musafir SIM card
Having Telegram and downloading Botim is good. Also download VPN and have it on when you are there
12. Non spill thermal water bottle (preserves hot & cold). Store ice in it…water will be supplied to you through out.
13. Open Slippers or sandals. Use your Trainners. You will do a lot of walking.
14. Rucksack/Backpack- you will need this for basic essentials especially in makkah has already provided this.
you will wear it front of you ( facing you) and not on your back when you are doing your tawwaf. When you are pushed in most cases forward -your chest is protected against those in front of you who in most cases are males.
You can place your slippers, your prayer notebook, your filled bottle water, your phone, keys etc in the back. Because you are wearing it front facing you can easily unzip and zip it and no one has access to it. You are also able to raise your hands 🙌🏿 in supplications with ease.
You can also pour water 💦 from that bottle on your head when in the heat. Don’t worry about getting wet. You will be dry in a couple of minutes
15. Hand Fan (electric and or manual- manual is easier- plastic on that is shared at parties is easier. Have a few so you can also give out as sadaqa – you will find that people always need it 3 is ok. 1 for you and 2 with the intention of sadaka)
16. Picnic Mat. Very handy to pray on and eat on.
17 Have copies of your passport, visa, insurance and passport photographs. Have these on you all the time.
18 Non-perfume soap & cream (eg, Simple) used while in the state of ihram)
20. 19 Shaving stick, nail cutter scissors ✂ to be in your checked in bag.
21. Dry or dried fruits, nuts, almond, groundnut, cashew, pistachios, etc – all good. Pour them out of bottles into zip lock/ freezer bags. This saves weight.
22. For those who like powdered milk like Nido, Milo etc you find them in Bin Dawood (it’s their super shop. Please buy in Madinah and take to Makkah, Doing this saves you unnecessarily Luggage from home.
23. Garri, well-seasoned fried chicken, Kilishi- you cannot get it wrong with garri. Drinking it in that heat with Zamzam water 💦 is so cool and soothing.
25. State of Ihram. Please attend all seminars and watch the clips already shared. (be conscious of when you will wear your ihram) and when you’ll be in a state of Ihram and all the prohibitions.
26. Have small plastic plate with lid to use on the go for your Garri: it’s also handy to have a few plastic spoons with you
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27 List of Prayer (Document your prayer points)- it is important to write down your prayers, itemise them, the people you want to pray for. Etc Sometimes you become so overwhelmed that you can forget…
28 Notebook & Pen (if you are into Journalling).. Journalling helps you to reflect, little notes of what you notice especially for first timers… write about your feelings… what you see, what you smell, what you touch… how you hear, who you met, where you met them successful nonverbal or verbalised sign languages of communication that you experience. What are your takeaway points ? etc
24. Toiletries – Bar soap is better … please all toiletries to be in your checked in luggage. Please ensure your toothpaste and mouth wash is in your checked in luggage. You can take your *miswak and or chewing stick on the aircraft with you.
25. Sunglasses (the darker the better) & hats- wide, umbrellas( foldable) – dark coloured (are better)
26. Backup Recommended Glasses least you loose one
27. Photocopy of passports (& other travel docs) as already indicated above to be kept on your person. Your passports may be collected from you. It is safer to have these copies with you.
28. Cash & Change Forex in Madinah. * Note that you can use you card and if you have Revolut without incurring any bank charges does not exist for Canadian residents). NatWest and HSBC do not also charge. Please double check again with your banks for those of you in the UK . Please double check if you have Starling Bank, Monzo, and Wise.
29. Nail clippers (Manicure set, Hair clipper, etc)
30. Hajj & Umrah book
31. Travel/Health insurance
32. Take some Black Bin Bags with you ( They’ll be useful in your rooms) Generally there are cleaners in your room, but this period can be over whelming… side bins in the rooms are quite small. The black bin bags come handy. fill it and drop outside your door. It also helps you maintain a tidy space.
33. Buy air fresher in Madinah – You share bathroom, just to freshen up so no embarrassing thoughts.
