I performed Umrah the minor pilgrimage (Haj being the major one) to Makkah last month. Unlike Haj, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. I wore Ihram, the attire for the pilgrimage and started from Dammam (the city with an airport closest to Jubail). To reach Makkah, one has to fly in to Jeddah and take a taxi.
On arrival at Makkah and reaching the Kaaba - the black cube-like structure, I performed the Tawaf, circambulation of the Kaaba. Then I proceeded to perform Saee - going back and forth on the hillocks of Safa and Marwa. After this, I cut a little of my hair as required by the ritual.
It felt very peaceful sitting near the Kaaba in the evening and the feeling was so overwhelming that I missed the return flight back to Dammam!
*First and third photos courtesy Mostafa Mohammed
