Preparing for Umrah – Wearing Ihram, Anxiety & Meeting the Guide
How I prepared for Umrah, including wearing ihram, managing anxiety, praying nafl, and meeting my Umrah guide before beginning the pilgrimage.
Ajyad Street & My First Walk to the Grand Mosque
My first walk to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, navigating Ajyad Street, prayer times stopping traffic, and what it’s really like walking to Masjid al‑Haram.
First Impressions of Makkah & Checking Into Emaar Elite Hotel
My first impressions of Makkah, including arriving at night, the atmosphere around Masjid al‑Haram, and checking into my hotel near the Grand Mosque.
Arriving in Jeddah – Airport, Immigration, SIM Cards & First Impressions
What it’s really like arriving at Jeddah Airport for the first time, including immigration, fingerprint checks, buying a local SIM card, and first impressions of Saudi Arabia.
Why I Went for Umrah – Intention, Loss, and Leaving London
A personal reflection on why I decided to perform Umrah, the intention behind the journey, and how leaving London marked the beginning of a deeply reflective pilgrimage.