How Disabled People Can Get Facilities During Umrah?
Umrah is a physically challenging activity. It requires physical strength and stamina. Whether you want a Saudi Umrah visa from the UK or any other country, Umrah requirements are different for disabled people.
Moreover, Hajj and Umrah are compulsory for Muslims who are financially stable and have no physical disability. Almost two to three million Muslims perform Hajj each year.
According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), in 2022, more than 24,715,307 Muslims worldwide came to Saudi Arabia for an Umrah.
In light of these statistics, the Saudi Government provides several facilities to assist disabled individuals to perform an Umrah. In this post, we’ll explore how disabled individuals can complete their Umrah. By reading this article, you will get vital knowledge on how to make your entire Umrah journey hassle-free with your loved ones.
Different Options for Disabled People to Perform Umrah
Wheelchairs and Escalators
Getting an Umrah visa ensures you will embark on your spiritual journey in Saudi Arabia. Here is some encouraging news for you. At Jeddah and Medina airports, there are several facilities for physically disabled people. For instance, there is the wheelchair access for individuals with certain impairments.
Also, there is the availability of ramps and elevators for sick, elderly persons, or physically challenged children at airports.
Disabled pilgrims can use wheelchairs or escalators after finishing tawaf to return to their hotel rooms. So, on the airline, you can request wheelchair services to ensure seamless mobility of your disabled loved ones.
Even though you can purchase a wheelchair in Mecca for over 250 Riyals, there is no need to do it. This is due to the fact that wheelchair services are accessible everywhere.
Use of Mobility Aids
In addition, physically disabled people during Umrah can use various other mobility aids as well. For example, they can use scooters to move from one point to another. Similarly, disabled individuals can also utilize walking sticks. With that in mind, elderly people can significantly benefit more from walking sticks at the airport or during tawaf.
In order to facilitate disabled pilgrimage, the government ensures they benefit from several mobility aids. Therefore, it is crucial to select the best mobility aid to ensure comfortable mobility for your disabled loved ones.
Family Assistance
Bringing your disabled family members to Umrah can be quite challenging. But there is hope at the end of the tunnel. In like manner, if you’re traveling with a disabled family member, you can ensure they get support from a close family member or a relative. For example, you can bring a sibling with you to push the wheelchair of your disabled father.
Moreover, a close relative can accompany you through crowded places at Kabah. Family assistance can make a massive impact in improving the mobility of a disabled pilgrim.
Search for Unique Umrah Packages
Don’t you know that there are unique Umrah packages and special services available for disabled people? It’s true. The travel agency you contact is not restricted to providing you with an Umrah visa in the UK only. Some travel agents, reputable firms, or tailored Umrah packages will also assist your disabled family members with special assistance.
You can avail of unique packages to get the best accommodation for disabled people. Besides, you can get the tailored transport for your loved ones. Thus, a specialized Umrah package will ensure that disabled ones get on-site support at the airport or hotel.
Likewise, your disabled family members can also take advantage of some VIP facilities. For instance, in Mecca or Medina, they can reduce their wait time by avoiding long queues. Thus, this will ensure a seamless experience at holy places to travel stress-free.
During-Umrah Facilities for Disabled People
Specialized Rooms and Apartments
Mecca and Medina might be the most crowded places during Umrah, but worry not! We have some refreshing news.
These holy cities offer specialized rooms to disabled persons. Hotels have designed these rooms with broader doorways. Some rooms are built to have easy access to the bathroom. Hence, staying in these rooms can ensure a comfortable living during Umrah.
Professional Guidance
When performing Umrah, there is no lack of appropriate guidance or support. No matter what stage you are going through, everywhere, you find dedicated professionals to offer you full guidance. You can even take guidance to ensure proper wheelchair utilization.
Rest Areas
Disabled people often don’t have much stamina to perform umrah without taking some rest. Therefore, it is better to ensure that they get convenient access to rest areas in Mecca and Medina. For example, at holy sites, there are better seating arrangements to accommodate disabled people.
On the contrary, there are prayer areas and rest places for people with disabilities. So, regardless of illness or age, anyone with a disability can make their Umrah comfortable.
Medical and Healthcare Assistance
Sick or medically challenged individuals may require medical assistance anytime during their pilgrimage. Luckily, there is no shortage of first-aid centers in holy cities now. No matter what kind of sickness is, disabled individuals can get quick medical assistance.
Vital Precautions to Consider During an Umrah
Here are some essential considerations to ensure the optimum completion of your Umrah.
- Check wheelchair quality and equipment. Ensure the wheelchair you pull or use does not need any repairs.
- Also, properly carry all of your required documents. These may include any medical certificates related to your disabled child. To avail of all the assistance, you may need to prove your disability status.
- Stay updated with the news to understand weather conditions. Make sure you drink lots of water to avoid dehydration. Second, disabled relatives may require more water to protect their well-being.
- In order to avoid medical complications, get travel insurance. It will come in handy to save you from various medical problems.
- During a holy pilgrimage, everyone deserves respect. So, always show genuine respect and empathy for other pilgrims.
What to do When the Airport Fails to Offer Disability Assistance
Airports and hotels typically provide seamless facilities to disabled people. However, if you fail to receive proper aid at the airport, you can rely on self-help. For example, you can get a wheelchair service at the airport. So, you must look for a wheelchair assistant.
Wheelchair assistants will help to drive wheelchairs to move your disabled relatives. They may charge a bit for providing these services. At the airport, you don’t have to run after these assistants to catch them. They can quickly spot you and come to you.
However, many pharmacies also have ample stock of wheelchairs. Hence, you can get plenty of folding chairs or wheelchairs at pharmacies to ensure the mobility of your disabled loved ones. However, if the disabled relative happens to be a child, you need to purchase a wheelchair from a mall. Because it will not be going to cost you too much.
Some Precautions for Driving a Wheelchair
Getting a wheelchair facility for your disabled relatives is half the problem solved. It can be a daunting task to push or drive a wheelchair around. If you are pushing the wheelchair by yourself, you can use some necessary tips to avoid a difficult experience.
- After each tawaf of the Kabah, ensure you don’t over-exhaust yourself. Tawaf can be gut-wrenching with a person in a wheelchair. So, rest after each tawaf by stopping at your place.
- If you don’t get enough sleep, your enthusiasm for Umrah will diminish. Hence, get plenty of sleep after doing a hard day’s work to regain stamina.
- Further, when carrying a disabled relative in a wheelchair, it is an effective practice to walk only on Marble pathways.
- During an Umah, all pilgrims have to walk between Marwa and Safa. So, it is advisable to get assistance from helpers in green uniforms to avoid discomfort.
Final Words
A visa for Umrah from the UK prepares you for a faith-filled journey. However, performing an Umrah with a physically disabled relative can be quite daunting. Since disabled people should not be stopped from participating in this devotional journey, it is crucial to provide them with the necessary facilities to ensure a pain-free Umrah journey.
As a matter of fact, there are many facilities and options available for disabled individuals to perform an Umrah. Equally, disabled individuals must perform Umrah with pride and take precautions to travel services to ensure a smooth pilgrimage. Therefore, coupled with wheelchair assistance and many other facilities, you can easily take a disabled relative on this pious journey.
