This ISB Campus Umrah trip was such a fantastic experience from start to finish. From the company, the planning, and was overall very spiritually uplifting. I had first done Umrah when I was 6, so it felt incredible to relive this experience in my adult years and to fully appreciate all that goes on.
On the first day, we completed our first Umrah as a group after 24 hours of travelling, which was an unreal experience. Despite our delirious state, we finished our Umrah and were all in awe of the scale of operation as well as the architecture of the Haram and the sight of the Kabah. This first experience of Umrah was overwhelming as there were crowds of different people. Also, you were trying to find your feet with what to do next and battling with exhaustion. While we were in Makkah for 6 days, a handful of us completed 3 Umrahs, and they progressively got easier as time went on Alhamdulilah.
Another stand-out memory for me was the intense storms and rainfall we experienced. There was rainfall 3 out of the 5 days we were there, and you could feel the power and might of Allah as the sky lit up with lightning. On one of the days, the rain started as we were on the Mataf for Asr prayer, and as a result, we managed to get quite close to the Kabah, which I will never forget.
Madinah was a lot more peaceful, so it was the perfect place to unwind and regain our energy after the intensity of Makkah. While in Madinah, we went on a Ziyarat and visited many beloved sights of the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him), including Mount Uhud and Masjid Quba. Visiting these sights and others in person put the Seerah into perspective. It made me appreciate what it was like in the time of the Prophet (PBUH).
Overall, I made many lasting memories and friendships during this trip. I feel spiritually uplifted and grateful for having experienced such a well-organised and fulfilling trip. Thank you to all the organisers and Mayar Travel for helping facilitate the trip.
By Maysoon Varsani