For a lot of British Muslims, there comes a point when the roles at home start to swap round. The parents who once packed your school bag now need a hand with their tablets, their hospital letters and the stairs. And somewhere in the middle of all that, one of them says it: “I’d like to go for Umrah before I get too old.”
It’s one of the kindest things you can do for them, but it is also a big job. An older person on a long flight, in strong heat and in huge crowds needs more planning than a group of young friends going together. Many families pick an All-Inclusive Umrah Package for exactly this reason, so that the flights, visa, hotels and transfers are all arranged by one company and there’s a single phone number to ring if something goes wrong. Even so, there’s a lot only you can sort out. This guide covers the things that make the biggest difference.
Start with an honest talk
Before you book anything, sit down with your parents and talk plainly about what they can manage. This can be awkward. Proud fathers in particular don’t like to admit their knees aren’t what they were. But you need to know how far they can walk without a rest, whether they get breathless, and how they cope with heat.
It’s also a good idea to have a word with their GP. Ask whether there’s any reason they shouldn’t fly or travel somewhere very hot, and whether their medicines need changing for the trip. Some tablets, such as water pills for the heart, can leave people dehydrated in a hot climate. A five-minute chat at the surgery is much better than a problem in Makkah.
Pick the right time of year
With older travellers, the weather matters more than anything else. Summer in Makkah is too hot for most of them, with afternoons well over 40 degrees. The cooler months from November to February are far kinder.
December is a favourite for this reason, and also because grown-up children often have time off work over Christmas. The downside is cost. December Umrah Package Prices rise sharply in the second half of the month, when British schools close and demand is at its peak. If your parents are retired and you can get away, the first two weeks of December give you the same mild weather for less money and with smaller crowds. Booking several months ahead helps too, as the hotels closest to the Haram fill up first.
Choose the hotel with care
For a fit young person, a hotel fifteen minutes’ walk from the Haram is no trouble. For a 75-year-old, that walk five times a day is exhausting. Paying more for a hotel close to the mosque is one of the best ways to spend your money on this trip.
Ask your agent for the walking time in minutes, and ask whether the route is flat. In Makkah some streets are steep. Check that the hotel has lifts that work and are not too small, and ask for a room on a lower floor if you can. In Madinah the ground is flatter and the hotels near the Prophet’s Mosque are easier to reach, so you may decide to spend a few extra nights there.
Wheelchairs: book them, and use them
This is where many families go wrong. Their mum or dad sinsist they can walk, so no one arranges a wheelchair, and by the second day they’re worn out.
1.At the airport. Ask the airline for assistance when you book. It’s free, and staff will meet you at check-in and help you through security and on to the plane. In Jeddah or Madinah you’ll be met at the aircraft door.
2. At the Haram. Wheelchairs can be hired at the mosque, and there are motorised ones as well. There are separate areas and routes for wheelchairs during Tawaf and Sa’i. Ask your agent how hiring works at the time you travel.
3. Your own chair. A light folding wheelchair from home can be a good idea, as your parent will be used to it. Most airlines carry it free of charge.
Gently remind your parents that using a wheelchair doesn’t make their Umrah any less valid. It means they’ll have the strength to pray and enjoy the trip without suffering.
Medicines and health
Take enough of every medicine for the whole trip plus a week extra, in case of a delay. Keep it all in hand luggage, in the original boxes, with a copy of the prescription. A simple list of what they take and when, written out on paper, will help if you need to see a doctor out there.
Every pilgrim needs a meningitis ACWY jab at least ten days before arrival, and it’s worth asking the GP about a flu jab too. The cough that goes round pilgrims is well known, and older people catch it easily.
Travel insurance is a must. Declare every condition your parents have, even the ones that seem minor. If you don’t, the insurer may refuse to pay. Policies for older travellers cost more, but it’s far less than a hospital bill abroad.
Pace the days
Young people tend to pack every hour. With parents, it’s better to slow right down. Rest after arriving, and do the Umrah when everyone is fresh, perhaps after a night’s sleep. Go to the Haram at quieter times, such as after Fajr or late at night, when it’s cooler and less crowded.
Not every prayer has to be in the main mosque. Many hotels near the Haram are close enough that people pray in the streets outside or in the hotel’s own prayer room when it’s very busy. Your parents can save their strength for the visits that matter most to them.
Keep them safe in the crowds
The crowds are the thing that worries families most. A few simple steps make a big difference:
1.Give each parent a card with the hotel name, address and your phone number on it.
2. Agree a meeting point at a numbered gate on the first day.
3. Make sure their phone is charged and has your number saved at the top.
4. Stay with them during Tawaf, especially when the crowd moves suddenly.
5. Bright clothing or a coloured scarf makes them easier to spot.
Think about who else is going
One adult child looking after two elderly parents is hard work. If you can, take a brother, sister or cousin along, so that you can take turns. It also means someone can stay at the hotel with a parent who needs a rest, while the other goes to the mosque. Many families who make this trip say that the time spent together was one of the best parts.
It will be more work than going on your own, and some days will test your patience. But seeing your mother or father in front of the Kaaba, after years of wishing they could go, is something you won’t forget. Start planning early, keep it simple, and let the rest look after itself.
