Makkah is the holy and historical city of Saudi Arabia. For Muslims around the world, Makkah is a very significant city. It’s also known as the centre of Islam because of the Holy Kaaba, which is the direction of Muslims’ prayers. Makkah is the city where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born, and the preaching of Islam began. Have you ever wanted to visit Makkah?
A lot of people (majority Muslims) visit Makkah every year. Rather, the special thing about this city is that it’s a place for Muslims only. More than 10 million Muslims attain the privilege of pilgrimage towards Makkah, and this number is increasing every year. In this growing number, around 40% to 45% are female travellers, according to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah statistics.
Now, females can travel to Saudi Arabia alone, and there is no requirement for a travel partner. But the question arises, how should Muslim women explore Makkah? So, this “female traveller’s guide towards Saudi Arabia” is specifically crafted for ladies. You can learn here the dress code, modesty, cultural norms, and pilgrimage regulations as a female. Make sure to read till the end!
The Dress Code for Ladies
There is no specific dress colour requirement to visit Makkah, but the dress code matters. The city is a major hub of the Islamic religion, so females should wear modest dresses. Most Muslims go there to perform Hajj, Umrah, and to visit historical Ziyarats (visiting places). This is basically called a pilgrimage to Makkah.
Females do not have to follow any special or specific dress code like men. They can wear everyday clothes such as a traditional Islamic outfit, an Abaya, a long skirt, or a tunic. However, an Abaya is common with Hijab and an under-cap. It doesn’t have to be just black; you can wear blue, brown, or any neutral colour. The temperature of the holy city remains hot throughout the year, except in the peak winter months when it’s milder. So, choose cotton-made, non-transparent, and loose-fitted dresses.
The culture and customs of Makkah are totally different from those in Europe. So, as a female, avoid wearing tight jeans, short skirts, transparent clothes, glittery dresses, embroidery ones, or any western attire in public places. Keep modesty in your dress code because Makkah is a holy city.
If you will perform Umrah, then your face and hands must be uncovered. Additionally, females can wear socks. The most important part of your dress code is perfect footwear. A pro tip is to wear pre-used shoes or sneakers for comfort instead of new ones. Do not use heels or something like footwear. Also, avoid using any type of fragranced perfume or spray in the state of Ihram.
Women’s Regulations in the Grand Mosque of Makkah
No rule is made in the Grand Mosque without arrangements to facilitate worship. There are designated prayer areas for women inside the Grand Mosque (also known as Masjid al-Haram) of Makkah. In the courtyards, barriers are separated from men with plastic or metal material with signs like “women prayer area” or “Nisa (Arabic word)”. Security guards and ladies’ volunteers guide people there.
The Grand Mosque is basically a place for Muslims’ prayers and to perform pilgrimage rituals. The most well-known rituals that pilgrims perform are Tawaf and Sa’ee. Both of these rituals are performed by males and females simultaneously. But there are some quirks to follow to avoid the opposite gender.
Keep in mind, there is no dedicated women’s area to perform Tawaf around the Holy Kaaba. You must do it by circling the Holy Kaaba. Undoubtedly, there are crowds every time, so to avoid being pushed by others, you can perform in the slightly outer circles or use the upper floors of the Mosque.
Similarly, in the Sa’ee (walking between Safa and Marwah hills), females should follow the etiquette. At the green light symbols, it’s not allowed for ladies to run or walk fast; only for men. Remember, male and female pedestrians walk together during Sa’ee.
It’s common in the Grand Mosque of Makkah that all genders worship God together, so females don’t need to panic. If you face any problem, female security guards are always present throughout the Mosque, so seek help from them only. Additionally, in female dedicated entrance areas, they may scan your bags to avoid prohibited items.
Use Mobile Apps and Digital Technology
Digital technology is playing a great role in making travel easier for people. The government of Saudi Arabia is also working on an advanced digital system for travellers’ convenience to support Vision 2030. For Umrah services, female travellers should download Nusuk, Tawakkalna, Makkah bus, and Haramain train mobile applications. These apps are dedicated to pilgrimages that can make journeys more comfortable for you.
As a traveller, we are not aware of the exact locations of any country or city. To ease this, use Google Maps or any location-specific app to know the correct walking directions and distances. You can download transport apps like Careem or Uber, which are common in Makkah. Moreover, the official language of the city is Arabic, which most people speak there. But no doubt, it faces diverse people from around the world throughout the year who speak their own language. If you want to avoid communication barriers, use translator apps such as Google Translate or any similar one.
Muslims female travellers must know about supplications and Islamic apps. These apps provide a proper guide on how to pray and where to pray. The best advantage of digital Islamic apps is that you can pray anywhere, either in a hotel or outside of the mosque’s premises. Travellers should also download currency conversion apps to convert their own currency to Saudi Riyal. Ensure to keep your mobile devices in a neck pouch inside or outside of your Abaya.
Physical Fitness with Health and Hygiene
The journey to Makkah al-Mukarramah strongly requires good physical fitness, health, and hygiene. The city is primarily mountainous and desert. Its geographical location consists of mountain terrain, rocky peaks, valleys, and hard soil. Some paths are straight, and some are steep, but modern infrastructure is changing the paths for visitors’ convenience. Despite its proximity to Red Sea, summers are extremely dry and harsh in Makkah. That’s why you should be physically fit to concentrate on your trip.
You may have to walk 10 to 15 km in a day; it’s best to have strong walking stamina. You will climb stairs if you visit the Mountain of Light, Mount Arafat, Mount Thawr, etc. Also, females should take care of their feet from small blisters and wounds, which are common issues for many travellers.
The risk of getting sick is high in Makkah due to heat, crowds, and fatigue. Dehydration is a problematic situation for many, so keep water in your bags with ORS and glucose sachets. If you really are a sensitive female traveller, use a mask and antibacterial lotions to avoid infections. Keep in mind that long travelling must need medicines and a first-aid kit.
Let’s conclude this article!
Today’s female traveller can explore any part of the world because they are now more discreet than ever before. Women can easily travel to Makkah, and it’s a safe and secure city. Whether you are travelling solo or with part of a group, Makkah will give you strength and spirituality.
Makkah is a warm city; females should use proper skin care, such as using sunscreen, an umbrella for sun protection, and fragranced products (Ihram prohibits fragranced items). People of Makkah mostly use Zamzam water for drinking, especially inside the Mosque, but you can also use normal water.
Hope your trip to Makkah will be a memorable one!
