MAKKAH SHARIF

These are the essential steps of Umrah:

• Enter into Ihram (state of purity and devotion) by washing your body and donning Ihram garments.

• Recite the Talbiyah in the miqat station to declare intention to make the pilgrimage.

• Travel to Makkah.

• Enter Al Masjid Al Haram (Holy Mosque) and perform Tawaf – circling the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction.

• Perform Sa’ay – walking 7 times between the hills of Safa and Marwah beside the Kaaba.

• At the end of Umrah, men exit from Ihram by shaving their head (taqseer). Completing Umrah for women requires cutting off a short lock of hair.

Note that while you can perform this pilgrimage at any time of the year outside of Hajj, international pilgrims still need Umrah visas and must travel with authorized tour operators

• A bona fide Passport which is valid for another 6 months
• Passport size photograph which should have a white background
• PAN card