Dear Brother/Sister

Here is the message of one of our dearest brothers who made Hajj this year (1999). I wish that Allah rewards him for his effort and his sincere advice and I wish that (Allah s.w.) accepts from him and all the other brothers and gives us the same ability to make this great (Fard) and pillar of Islam (Amen).

Here is the complete text as it is :

These are some details required to perform hajj from Japan. Please remember : If you will not make it from Japan, please ignore it as the situation is quite different than doing from Egypt. Please note that the situation changes year by year.

Documents are:

1. Two way ticket

2. 14 photographs

3. Health certificate

4. Vaccination certificate

5. Application form.

6. Recommendation letter

7. Two checks.

8. Proof of marrigae in case of women.

9. Passport with re-entry visa

 Here are the advises for each point separatley.

1-Air ticket: The most important thing is to have confirmed seats on any round trip flight to Geddah. You can make use of Monbousho tickets. In that case, you should contact with the Travel agency who issue the Monbousho ticket three months at least before hajj. The procedures are as follows:

- Three months before the Hajj, please make reservation for air ticket. It is much preferrable to be as early as possible. The best air lines for Hajj are:

1. Maysian Airlines. The price is about 125,000 yen. Transiet only in Malysia. No need for transiet visa.

2. Egypt air. Price is 145,000 yen and the route is through Egypt. The main problem is the (TASREEH ELGEISH) because you should have it twice.

3. Singapore airlines arround 140,000.

4. Turkish airlines arround 120,000.

5. Begaladish airlines arround 89,000 yen!!!. But you have two days transiet in Bengaladish in both going and returning.

You should have the tickets (not only reservation) before applying for the Visa. The price also depends on the time of departure. If you travel earlier, the price is cheaper. Please notice that there is dead line to enter Saudi Arabia for Hajj which is arround 2^nd of Zulhiggah. So, never make reservation after that date.

2- (14) photographs: This year they asked us for 14 photographs and then they returned 12 for us!!!. I thought the others will be used in Saudi Arabia but unfortunately no. I hope this will change next year to ask only for two photographs.

3- Health certificate: Prescribed form. It cost about 4000 yen or you can make it for free if you follow the check up made annually in the university or the company.

4- Vaccination certificate: Only one hospital in all Japan who can make this vaccination and it is a must for the visa. It costs 10,000 yen. The only thing that forces you to come to Tokyo by yourself for the Visa is the vaccination. This means that the cost of vaccination is 10,000 yen + Shinkansen and stay in Tokyo!!!. I advise you, especially if you live outside Tokyo, to make this vaccination in Egypt or to ask some one of your relatives to send it to you from Egypt!!!. You can take this vaccination for free in the Airport of Geddah!!!!. The date of the certificate should be not less than 10 days before travelling and not more than two years. The telephone line of this hospital is [ International clininc 03-3582-2646 or 03-3583-7831]. It is better to make reservation before you go there.

5- Application form: In arabic or English. English is better because part of it will be attached to you passport and the authorities will not understand the visa if it is in Arabic!!!.

6- Recommendation letter: From your supervisor, just saying that he knows about your trip and you will return back to Japan after Hajj. 

7- Two checks: with 444 and 435 Saudi Arabia Ryals. The only bank who issue that checks is Tokyo Mitsubishi Bank. The bank takes 2000 yen for each check. You submitt these checks in the visa section of Saudi Arabia embassy and in the Gedda Airport the Checks are taken from you. The first check 444 Rial is not refunded for you. The other check is for transportaion in Saudia Arabia and it is replaced with some tickets. If you do not visit Madina, 225 Rial will be returned to you after you finish hajj at the airport.

8- Re-entry: I think it can be ignored if you are returning finally to Egypt.

Application for visa is every day from 9:00 to 12:00 in the morning. You can ask some one to apply for you and send it back to you only if you have vaccination certificate. Otherwise, please come very early to the hospital and take the vaccination and then go to the embassy (arround 100 m from the hospital).

Dresses for Ehram (you can bring from Egypt). A nice slipper (Should be good and comfortable type because you use it many times). Umbrella, or you can buy from there. Some medicines for (Head Ache, ESHAL and Cold). Tooth brush. Also, it is better to have hair cut machine either 220 volt or with batteries. A belt to keep your money and personal things.

Madinah: If you go early (Before ZULHIJJAH), you can go to the Madina first. The main advantages of that is:

• You can take plane from Geddah to Madina after arrival to Geddah Airport and it costs you 9000 yen (You make the reservation from Japan) if it is round trip or 4500 yen if it is going only. This money is equivalent to the 225 Ryal which will be refunded for you if you do not use the (Motawef) transportation service and it is much comfortable way. This means that you almost do not pay extra charges for visiting the Madina. Note that you can not make the reservation if you arrive late before hajj.
• The housing in Madina is cheaper than after Hajj and you can enjoy your time there more because it is less crowded than after hajj.
• You can make Ehram from Madina (ABYAR ALI) and no need to wear the Ehram clothes at the plane before Geddah.

Residence in Mecca: This is a big problem. To solve it, there are many solutions:

• To contact with one of you relatives or friends who is going to Hajj and try to arrange with the travel agency in Egypt that you stay with him. Note that they may ask you much more money because you come from Japan!!!.
• If you are going as a group from Japan you can share appartment in Mecca. You can find easily a cheap one which is 15 minutes walking from the haram. This is not long distance. It costs from 1500 Saudi Riyal up to 2200 Ryal (for all the period) according to the size or quality. You need the room mainly for sleeping and keeping your luggage.
• If you are single, you can contact with that MOTAWEF either from there or from here to arrange for residence. If you want to arrange from here by Fax or Telephone: Motawef 20, Mr. Hasan, Tel:9662-5441623 Fax:9662-5420395. Or ask there for free appartments. Usually it costs from 350 Rial to 400 Rial per person.

Motawef: I personally joined with Motawef 20 for Egyptians. He is mainly for individual pilgrims and those who come by cars. All Egyptians coming from foreign countries (not from Egypt) joined him. The main advantage of that Motawef is that most of people accompany you are University staff or well-educated people and this makes you enjoy you Hajj and do less mistakes.

1. Please keep calm and do not speak too much.
2. If some one heart you with one word or bad action (like pull you during TAWAF) please ignore and do not fight with him.
3. Try to make use of your spare time in good things, like reading or hearing Quran or reading something useful.
4. Do not waste too much time in shopping.
5. Do not bargain too much while you wear the dresses of Ehram (LA GEDALA FE ALHAJJ).

6. You should contact with the Motaweff one day before asking him to do any thing. For Example if you want to go to Madina by day after tomorrow, please contact him tomorrow.

7. Never try to push or heart other pilgrims. For example, touching the (black rock) is only sonna but your Hajj can be spoiled if you cause harm for a muslim.

8. Please help other old people.
9. Always smile because this is a way for taking HASANAT and also it helps you to keep calm.

10. Meeting friends there is very nice. But try not to spend too much time chating and laughing because this is a valuable time.

May Allah accept from all of us (Amen).

1. Reservation back to Japan must be after 13 ZOULHIJA to be able to complete your Manask.
2. Sometimes it is necessary not to obey MOTAWF as most of them make what is easy to them regardless SONA e.g My MOTAWF did not sleep in Mina the night of ARAFA and went direct 8 th ZOULHIJA to Arafa as well did not sleep in Mozdlifa nigt of EID EL NAHR and go direct to Mina. and both is not correct and required Blood(Slaugtering a shhep) So in summary you read what our prophet made in his Heij and you follow .
3. It is necessary to be calm and seek ALLAH in ever act and never get angry.

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Thank you all brothers and may (Allah) bless you for your good intention.

Ashraf M.El-Abd

9 April 1999