Hajj and Umrah are performed in Makkah. Therefore, millions of people have to gather at the same place for offering the holy rituals of pilgrimage. Where managing a sea of pilgrims isn’t a challenge for Saudi Authorities but individual safety is a person’s own responsibility. When millions of Muslims are doing tawaf or performing other rituals together, health and safety risk also increases.
Here are some of the safety tips for your umrah and last minute hajj package.
Keep in touch with your Closed ones
Once you reach Makkah, communicate and keep yourself in constant touch with your relatives, friends, and family. However, it doesn’t mean you have to talk to them 24/7. After performing the rituals when you return to your hotel room, interact with them and tell them about your next’ day’s route. So that in case of emergency, they can easily locate you.
Bring your Medication
Always bring your medication. It goes without saying especially when you are on medical treatment. Even if you are not, it’s better to take some precautionary medicines with you. Like, aspirin, paracetamol, sting and burn relief, ointments and other medicines for common stomach-ache, food poisoning, and breathing problems. These are the must-have!
Make Identification Cards for yourself
If you are traveling alone or with family, always travel with proper IDs. That includes your ID card/Passport, Hotel Address, Flight Information, Vaccination/Medical Certificate and Emergency contact numbers (of your friends and relatives). Make multiple copies and give them to every member of your family that is accompanying you on Hajj or Umrah. So that if someone gets lost, he/she can manage to make it home safely.
Plan a Travel Itinerary
It is better to plan your Hajj/Umrah journey ahead. In this case, you can sketch out a route itinerary. Know about all the exit-entry gates of Haramain. Understand the transportation system there to get around. Stay aware of local authorities to contact with, in emergencies. Educate yourself on performing Hajj and Umrah rituals; When, Where, How? As well as be alert all the time.
Take good care of your Health and Hygiene
Good health is not possible without good hygiene. The same rule applies when you are on pilgrimage. Take exceptional care of your personal and oral hygiene all the time. Bathe often. Use sanitizers (fragrance-free). Wash your hands before eating. Always eat healthy food, preferably fruits and vegetables. Drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. Avoid junk foods; bakery, deep-fried and processed eatables. Use umbrellas for rituals in sunny weather.
Get yourself vaccinated
Vaccinations are very important, as a matter of fact, a visa application requirement. Since Muslims from all over the world come for hajj and umrah, some of them don’t have good health facilities in their regions. So, to stop the spread of viral diseases, get proper vaccination shots after consulting your doctor as you may need more than one vaccination. Thus, maximizing the safety of others as well as yourself.
These are some of the primary tips you can adopt to stay safe during your hajj and umrah.
