To many in Singapore’s small but vibrant Muslim community, performing a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca is central to our faith. It is often seen as a deeply spiritual and even sacred act, and must therefore be carried out with the utmost sincerity and conviction.
The Hajj, the annual pilgrimage performed in the final month of the Islamic calendar, is familiar to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike as one of the five pillars of Islam. Yet lesser-known is the Umrah, also called the “minor pilgrimage”, which shares many similarities with the Hajj but differs in certain customs and practices. If you are looking to learn more about this special form of pilgrimage, you have certainly come to the right place.
In the Arabic language, “Umrah” means “to visit a populated place”. Like the Hajj, the Umrah is a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, considered the holiest city in Islam. The Quran does not stipulate that the Umrah is compulsory, in contrast to the Hajj, which is more highly regarded as the “major pilgrimage”. However, all Muslims are nevertheless encouraged to perform Umrah if they are able, so as to bring themselves closer to their faith.
Umrah consists of four steps:
Although the Umrah is not compulsory, it is performed by many Muslims to purge oneself of sins and connect more deeply with our faith. It is one of the most deeply spiritual acts that any believer can perform, and is highly recommended as a way of supplementing the quality of our worship during the Hajj.
Additionally, due to the official Hajj quota set by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Haj and Umrah, only a limited number of Muslims may perform the Hajj each year. However, those who have yet to receive the opportunity need not worry, as the Umrah can also be used to fulfil our spiritual needs. Although every Muslim is still obligated to perform the Hajj at least once, performing the Umrah may serve as a way for more believers to increase their acts of worship to God.
Unlike the Hajj, which must be performed on specific dates in the Islamic calendar, the Umrah may be performed at any time during the year. Most pilgrims choose to do it during the month of Ramadan, as it is the holiest month in Islam. Some also perform it immediately before or after the Hajj season in the final month of the Islamic calendar.
As the rites involved in Umrah are relatively simpler than those of the Hajj, one may complete them in just a few hours. But with our exciting Umrah packages, which include tours of Mecca and Medina along with five-star accommodation, you can spend up to two weeks taking in the sights and sounds of the incredible holy city.
Our attractive Umrah packages start at:
At the end of the day, performing Umrah is a truly extraordinary experience, one that brings Muslims together from all walks of life, from every corner of the globe. Regardless of our individual backgrounds, Umrah unites all of us in our worship of God and celebration of our faith. So if you are still wondering whether you should embark on this special journey—there is only one way to find out.