Manchester Airport serves as a significant hub within the North, linking residents to locations far past mere holidays or enterprise journeys. As the one airport within the area providing direct flights to Jeddah, it turns into a key departure level for over a thousand Hajj pilgrims every year, embarking on what is commonly a transformative religious journey to Islam’s most sacred website.
This yr, the Hajj pilgrimage is scheduled from Friday, June 14, to Wednesday, June 19. Pilgrims’ excursions sometimes vary from 10 to 21 days, with some starting their journey to Saudi Arabia as early as this week.
Muslim chaplains at Manchester Airport, Shurma Chowdhury and Faruk Ali, emphasize the profound significance of Hajj within the Islamic religion and provide important recommendation for this yr’s vacationers.
What does Hajj imply for the pilgrims collaborating?
SC: Hajj represents one in all Islam’s 5 pillars, an important pilgrimage that every one financially and bodily ready Muslims are anticipated to carry out at the least as soon as of their lifetime. It’s each a divine name to attract nearer to God and an opportunity for self-improvement. Whereas pilgrims can undertake the Umrah pilgrimage any time of the yr, Hajj happens on particular dates of the Islamic lunar calendar’s final month.
The expertise is commonly singular and transformative. Given the continuing restrictions from the Covid pandemic, locations are restricted and prices can soar as much as £10,000, making it a big funding for a lot of. My circle of relatives has 5 members touring this yr, and their anticipation is palpable. Thankfully, Jeddah Airport is simply an hour’s drive from Makkah, facilitating direct entry from Manchester.
FA: For contributors, Hajj is invariably a profound journey. As an Imam who has led Hajj teams, I’ve seen firsthand how this pilgrimage unites Muslims worldwide whereas providing an intensely private religious expertise.
How do pilgrims manage their Hajj journey?
Arranging a Hajj tour may be considerably daunting. Pilgrims should first specific their curiosity by the official Saudi authorities platform, which operates on a lottery system. It’s essential for them to stick to journey recommendation from the Overseas Workplace and be sure that their tour operator is ATOL protected to safeguard their journey. All pilgrims from Manchester fly with Saudia, an airline skilled in supporting Hajj vacationers.
How does Manchester Airport facilitate a clean journey for pilgrims?
Understanding the excessive prices and the non-trivial nature of rescheduling a Hajj journey, Manchester Airport goals to alleviate as a lot stress as doable. Over the approaching weeks, pilgrims passing by Terminal 2 will discover informative posters and leaflets that element the areas of amenities reminiscent of bathrooms, altering areas, and check-in desks. These additionally information them by the airport course of, which can be unfamiliar to many first-time flyers. The Airport Chaplaincy collaborates with operational groups to arrange these guides and guarantee a clean expertise.
For arriving in Saudi Arabia, pilgrims should put on Ihram clothes, a white cotton garment. To facilitate this, Manchester Airport has established Ihram altering areas in Terminal 2, situated reverse Boots and close to Gate A8. These particular areas are really helpful over utilizing basic bathrooms or prayer rooms, serving to pilgrims transition right into a state of psychological purity and rest important for his or her pilgrimage.
What recommendation would you give to somebody performing the Hajj for the primary time?
FA: Preparation is essential, each bodily and mentally. Because the Islamic lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar don’t align, Hajj happens about two weeks earlier every year. At the moment, it falls within the peak of summer time. Pilgrims from cooler climates could wrestle with the warmth of Saudi Arabia in June. Since Hajj entails appreciable strolling, I might advise pilgrims to not underestimate the required stamina and to prioritize their well being and health within the weeks main as much as the journey.
Are there any particular preparations for folks returning to the UK?
SC: Whereas there are not any particular preparations, the Airport Chaplaincy is able to provide assist, each spiritually and virtually. Pilgrims returning to Manchester are inspired to achieve out in the event that they want somebody to speak to. Coming dwelling typically seems like a rebirth after this transformative expertise, and plenty of could search steerage to course of their new views on life. Moreover, it’s essential for pilgrims carrying holy water to do not forget that containers over 100ml should be packed in maintain baggage.
How can pilgrims contact the Manchester Airport Chaplaincy?
SC: Informational leaflets with our contact particulars can be found at Saudia’s check-in desks. Faruk and I are additionally accessible at Terminal Two on Mondays and Fridays, at all times prepared to help or have a dialog.
The submit Hajj 2024: Manchester Airport Prepares for Inflow of 1,000 Pilgrims appeared first on Journey And Tour World.
