Leicester is among the top UKs cities that plays a crucial role for preparation of Umrah. The complete area of Leicester, from Spinney Hills and Evington Road, has built a full environment full of Umrah Travel Agencies, Islamic bookstores, Ihram/Abaya shops, Arabic perfume stores, Halal food suppliers, and Islamic learning circles. Leicester is a highly recognized place for Umrah shopping and travel arrangements.
Why Leicester is important place for Umrah preparation?
Leicester stands out for Umrah preparation in the entire UK for it specialty and agencies that provides Umrah booking facilities. There are several top-notch shops within walking distance of the city. The travel agents in Leicester often know the local families personally. In Leicester, there are many Islamic bookstores that are highly specialized in offering services for the Umrah preparation.
The best areas in Leicester for Umrah preparation:
Spinney Hills are the main Umrah and Islamic shopping hubs. It is also regarded as Muslims commercial activity that is best for the booking Umrah packages, Buying Ihram, Islamic books, Abayas, thobes, ZamZam accessories, and Hajj seminars.
- St.Saviours Road: It has become strongest Islamic fashion zone for Umrah travelers. It offers premium Thobes, Ihram cloth, Men’s Jubbas, children Islamic wear, matching family outfits for Umrah.
- Ashshifa Clothing Store: It is highly respectable Islamic clothing retailer that is known for premium thobes, family Islamic wear, Matching father-son sets, Umrah-related clothing and community-focused service. The local Umrah shoppers specifically visit this shop before Ramadan Umrah season.
- Aniq Clothing store: The best spot for modern menswear including stylish Jubbas, premium fabrics, and occasion Islamic clothing. It is the best option for the younger Muslims who are looking for the practical but elegant travel clothing.
- Al-Firdous Clothing store: It is one of the best-known fashion stores in Leicester that sells women’s Abayas, Lightweight Saudi-weather fabrics, Hijabs, prayer garments, and Umrah-ready modest outfits.
- Shaikha Abaya Boutique: It is a boutique-style store that mainly focus on Elegant Abayas, premium modest wears, Lightweight Travel-friendly fabrics and contemporary Islamic fashion.
Umrah Supermarkets and Practical Shopping centers:
Umrah Supermarket is a community-based store that is built around Muslim Travel and Halal shopping centers. It is a useful place for snacks, prayer mats, Ihram Basics, ZamZam containers, Halal foods, and household preparations before departure of the Umrah pilgrimage.
Booking Umrah journey:
After purchasing essentials required for Umrah journey, The Umrah pilgrims from Leicester are intrigued by the booking process of the Umrah journey. They ought to know all the Umrah journey processes. Nowadays, the booking processes are digitalized, and your dream holy journey is just one click away from your fingertips. You can visit the official website of Hajj Umrah packages and book Umrah or customize according to your preference. You can contact the agents of Umrah Travel Agency to finalize the booking, or you can directly fill out the application form available on the online website. The Umrah clients have the option to customize the Umrah packages and add Umrah services according to your own preference. As there is a variety of such amenities.
- 3-star hotels (Jabal Al Omar Complex), 4-star hotel, 5-star hotels (Abraj Al Bait, Clock Towers)
- Economy class cabins, business class cabins, first class cabins in top airlines
- VIP, Air-conditioned transportation SUVS cars Or Shared buses
- Umrah Visa Processing’s
Preparation and packing for Umrah
The Umrah travelers from Leicester should start the journey with proper preparation to eradicate all types of inconvenience. They should keep all the essentials required for their own ease and comfort. All essential items should be kept in their due bags before leaving for the Umrah pilgrimage. Forgetting a little item or document for your Umrah trip can cause huge inconvenience.
- A valid passport (validity of at least 6 months of duration)
- 2-3 passport-sized photographs
- Two-way Umrah flights and hotel reservations
- Vaccination certificate (Meningococcal Vaccine)
- Exchange of USD to SAR currency
- 2-piece unstitch Ihram for Men
- Abaya/Hijab for women
- Comfortable/modest clothing’s
- Underwear/socks
- Comfortable slippers and footwear
- Light jackets and sweaters
- Scented toiletries and hygienic products (shampoo, soap, moisturizer, lotion, deodorant, fragrance-free hand sanitizer, sunscreen, Lip balm, dental care, nail clippers, scissors to remove Ihram, wet wipes, and tissues)
- Menstrual pads
- Electronics (Power bank, Universal Adapter, mobile phones)
- Health and personal care (First-Aid Kit, prescribed medications)
- Religious and prayer items (A pocket Quran, Dua book, prayer Mat, Tasbeeh with digital or traditional beads)
Boarding and landing at airport:
The Umrah pilgrims from Leicester should be on time for the departure Of Umrah flight. Umrah travelers from Leicester reach the East Midlands Airport or Birmingham Airport as Leicester does not have its own commercial passenger airport. It is very crucial to read all guidelines carefully related to flights' departure to avoid any inconvenience before reaching the EMA or BHX. Try to arrive at the airport at least 1-2 hours before your time. The Leicester pilgrims land at the Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh and Dammam airports for the Umrah trip. They are highly recommended to wear Ihram and make a pure intention once they cross the Meeqat boundary.
The Baggage rules:
The Umrah pilgrims leaving their homes should be well aware of the baggage allowances and strict rules related to baggage. They should make sure to not to exceed the limit of the checked baggage and carry-on baggage beyond the suggested limit of baggage allowances. Moreover, they should avoid carrying prohibited items, including sharp objects, knives, razors, tools, weapons, and lighters. Moreover. It is recommended to keep your valuable items such as cameras, jewelry, electronics, laptops, and cash in your hand-carry.
Making pure intention for Umrah:
A heartfelt commitment of Muslim pilgrims to start the Umrah journey with the name of the most Gracious and beneficent Allah SWT. Making a pure intention to perform Umrah is a conscious decision to set off for the Holy Umrah pilgrimage. The Niyyah acts as a pure intention for Umrah, and Muslims make this inner intention before reaching the boundary point, which is known as Meeqat. This Niyyah signifies the importance of the feeling of the heart and the sincerity of the mind. The claim, this worship and tiring journey is merely for Allah and removing all evil intentions of showing off or the urge for attention seeking. At the point of Meeqat, the Pilgrims recite Labbayka Allahumma Umrah, followed by reciting Talbiyah.
The Holy worships in Holy Kaaba:
The Muslims from Leicester are in far away from their homes to perform the Holy rituals of Umrah for the pleasure of Allah. They believe their struggle to perform Umrah will bring content of Allah, renewal their faith and bring forgiveness from all past sins.
- Reciting Talbiyah: The pilgrims from Leicester start this Holy worship by saying the desperate words of Talbiyah. The Talbiyah is important as it affirms Tawheed, submission of creation in front of their creator and acknowledges the superiority of Allah above all. Muslims say out that O Allah, we are here to respond you call for worship. Moreover, it is an expression of praise and gratitude towards Allah. Such humble words build a deep connection with Allah.
- Two Rakkah prayer: It is Sunnah of our beloved Prophet to offer two Rakkah prayers at the Maqam-e-Ibrahim after wearing Ihram for performing Umrah. Pilgrims offer two more Rakkah at the same point after completion of Tawaf around the Holy Kaaba.
- Performing Tawaf around Kaaba: The main ritual of Umrah is performing the Holy Tawaf around the Holy House of Allah out of love, affection and subjugation. The Tawaf starts from the point where Black stone lies (arrived from the Jannah and installed there by Holy Prophet PBUH). This Umrah ritual is sent at the same point from where it was started. The Muslim pilgrims recite different Quranic Ayat including Ayat Al Kursi. They also recite some Duas that our Prophet recited while he was performing Umrah.
- Running between two Mountains, Sai: The Muslim run/walk between two mountains according to their physical capability. Some use the wheelchair to complete seven rounds between these two mountains, Safa and Marwah.
- Shaving head/cutting hair or trimming hair: After completion of Umrah, Muslims shave their head that signifies new start and shedding all sins.
Ziyarat visits to Medina:
After completion of Umrah rituals in the Holy Haram, the Umrah pilgrims visit the city of Holy Prophet for Rawdah visits and other Ziyarat visits. The major sites to see in Medina city includes:
- Al Masjid An-Nabawi
- Jannat Al Baqi
- Masjid Quba
- Mount Uhud
- Masjid Al-Qiblatayn
- Masjid Ghamama
- Garden of Salman al-Farsi
- Well of Uthman ibn Affan
Best Islamic Bookstores in Leicester:
Leicester is one of the top centers that is considered as the strongest Islamic publishing and bookselling scene. There are many students and Umrah buyers who wants to buy Umrah Dua guides, pocket Quran, Hajj manuals, Arabic learning resources, and Children Islamic books. These bookstores own a wide range of authentic Hadith collections, Aqeedah books, classical Islamic texts, English-language Umrah learning material, Pocket duas, travel-size Quran, Tasbeeh, Arabic learning books, and children’s Islamic resources. These bookstores are best for gift and prayer accessories, Attar shops, and Halal sweets.
- The Islamic Establishment bookstore
- Kitaabun Book Store
- Al Kunuz Religious bookstore
- Qurtuba Book store
- My Maktaba book store
- Leicester Islamic Bookshops
