archived from WhatsApp to a friend on 7 May 2025
why DIY umrah
- Why DIY Umrah?
- Cheaper cost (we managed 1-2k SGD per person in Ramadhan)
- Being intentional – what to eat, where to go
- Flexibility & freedom – rest time and exploring time
Cons(iderations) of DIY Umrah
- Cons
- A lot of planning
- Deal with surprises or emergencies (language barrier, I put wrong passport number in my visa application, I booked uber to wrong place instead of airport…)
- Uncertainty
- Lots of extra walking
Components of DIY Umrah
- 1) Fiqh of umrah
- Go for a class
- Refresh on Ihram, rukun, sunnah, rewards
- Get a mutawwif to guide process (many are SG students at Makkah/Madinah), list in Telegram group
- 2) Travel Planning
- Telegram group: https://t.me/umrahdiysg – useful info & ask any question, includes others going / went recently + Singaporeans staying in Makkah or Madinah
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/umrahdiy.sg/?hl=en – infographics, recommendations
- Accommodation: distance from masjid / shuttle transport, meals included or not (Hanisah got the makcik tips)
- Flights
- Latest travel requirements: vaccination, apps, visa, etc.
- Itinerary: days in Makkah, days in Madinah, how to travel in between (train recommended), which airport to fly in or out
- 3) While you’re there
- Transport: Uber, Kareem
- Food: Hungry Station, ALBAIKKK
- Laundry
- Know which door/gate of Masjid you enter or exit and agree where to meet if separated
- Explore walking to masjid Quba or open top bus ride
- Put aside some cash for sadaqah
If you can plan a solo travel trip anywhere, you can plan a DIY umrah trip inshaa Allah! Next time we meet, we can elaborate more on any of this.