So today we leave. The Hajj is finished; the sightseeing is done - everyone is satisfied. We had fulfilled, to the best of our ability I hope, the last pillar of our Deen - may Allah (swt) accept it . After breakfast, we spent the rest of the morning packing, weighing and securing our suitcases.We were allowed only 2 50lb suitcases each. We purchased many gifts for friends an relatives as well as for ourselves - clothing, books, CDs, perfume, etc.
Imaam Zameer said we have to be ready by salaatul Zuhr. We lugged the suitcases out of the hotel and on to the curbside and the scouts/helpers loaded them onto the roof of the buses. We boarded the buses and we were each given a 5 liter container of zamzam water compliments of Sara International Travel.
We departed at about 4pm and arrive at the Hajj terminal of Jeddah airport around 8pm. Traffic was horrendous for this normally hour and a half trip. The Hajj terminal at Jeddah is usually chaotic during hajj season with delays of 8-12 hours being not uncommon. Fortunately for us, we were one of the first groups to depart after the Hajj and the terminal was practically empty!!
This terminal - called The Hajj terminal - is used only during the Hajj season and is dedicated only to the service of pilgrims. It is the world's fourth largest air terminal, after Hong Kong International Airport's, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport's, and Seoul Incheon International Airport's terminal. It sits over 100 acres of ground area, and it is known for its tent-shaped roof and open design. The roof is not actually a tent, but a white colored fiberglass. This terminal has a Masjid, and it can accommodate 80,000 travelers at the same time.
Imaam Zameer said we have to be ready by salaatul Zuhr. We lugged the suitcases out of the hotel and on to the curbside and the scouts/helpers loaded them onto the roof of the buses. We boarded the buses and we were each given a 5 liter container of zamzam water compliments of Sara International Travel.
We departed at about 4pm and arrive at the Hajj terminal of Jeddah airport around 8pm. Traffic was horrendous for this normally hour and a half trip. The Hajj terminal at Jeddah is usually chaotic during hajj season with delays of 8-12 hours being not uncommon. Fortunately for us, we were one of the first groups to depart after the Hajj and the terminal was practically empty!!
This terminal - called The Hajj terminal - is used only during the Hajj season and is dedicated only to the service of pilgrims. It is the world's fourth largest air terminal, after Hong Kong International Airport's, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport's, and Seoul Incheon International Airport's terminal. It sits over 100 acres of ground area, and it is known for its tent-shaped roof and open design. The roof is not actually a tent, but a white colored fiberglass. This terminal has a Masjid, and it can accommodate 80,000 travelers at the same time.
We were able to check in with no delays and no difficulty whatsoever.
Most of the hujjaaj from our group were travelling directly to JFK with only a few hours stop over in Istanbul while some of us will be staying in Istanbul for a day of sightseeing. My family was among the latter group and we were looking forward to it. We planned on visiting some of the old Masjids and a museum where some relics of Rasulullah (swt) is being kept.
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