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Hajj Guide Book in English - The Message

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what is it<br />

5. How far away will you be stay<strong>in</strong>g from Haram ash-<br />

Shareef, both <strong>in</strong> Makkah and <strong>in</strong> Mad<strong>in</strong>ah<br />

6. If your place of residence is not with<strong>in</strong> easy walk<strong>in</strong>g<br />

distance (10-15 m<strong>in</strong>utes), what type of<br />

transportation to and from Haram ash-Shareef will<br />

be made available How often dur<strong>in</strong>g the day will it<br />

be available<br />

7. Will the representative of the agent be conversant<br />

<strong>in</strong> Arabic language If not, will an <strong>in</strong>terpreter be<br />

provided <strong>in</strong> Saudi Arabia Most Saudi authorities<br />

do not speak <strong>English</strong>, and your command of Arabic<br />

is likely to be very limited.<br />

8. Will you have the option of travel<strong>in</strong>g with<strong>in</strong> Saudi<br />

Arabia, (for example from Makkah to Mad<strong>in</strong>ah), <strong>in</strong> a<br />

taxi hired by you at your own expense <strong>in</strong>stead of<br />

the prepaid bus provided by your Muallim<br />

9. How about possible return by air from Mad<strong>in</strong>ah to<br />

Jeddah on your way out of the country <strong>in</strong>stead of<br />

the usual prepaid bus Get a good idea of this<br />

additional expenses.<br />

10. You may want to use the above alternate travel<br />

options because the bus journeys dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Hajj</strong><br />

season can be nerve-rack<strong>in</strong>g and time consum<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

For example, a bus journey from Makkah to<br />

Mad<strong>in</strong>ah (approximately 400 km or 250 miles) can<br />

take as long as fifteen to twenty hours, whereas a<br />

taxi will cover the same distance <strong>in</strong> three to four<br />

hours. <strong>The</strong> small additional cost you will <strong>in</strong>cur is<br />

well worth the money <strong>in</strong> terms of time saved and<br />

physical discomfort avoided.<br />

11. If you choose to use any of the alternate travel<br />

options (and it is highly recommended that you give<br />

them very serious consideration), be sure to<br />

redeem your unused bus coupons at Jeddah airport<br />

Page - 59

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