UMRAH VISAS NOW OPEN... Travel from 15th January 2012
Medical Advice from Dr Imran Zia
Technical glitch grounds Saudia flight in Colombo
Tallest Golden Minaret in Makkah
British Airways increases flights from Saudi Arabia
Makkah Hotel Chef Tops Region Awards
Easing Tawaf: Proposal Floated to Expand Tawaf Area
Qatar Airways to fly to Madinah
Starwood Announces Plans for Madinah Hotels
Al-Hidaayahs Ramadan 2011 Umrah Packages - Details Now Online!
Work to build new airport in Jeddah begins
Umrah pilgrims expected to cross 4 million mark
Marriott Signs Three New Hotels in Makkah
Raffles Makkah Palace Named Middle Easts Leading Luxury Hotel
Umrah Passengers Processed Through Hajj Terminal
SPECIAL OFFER - All Inclusive Umrah from only £695
Shaza Al-Madinah Opens Its Doors
Electronic Visa Authorisation System Open
Elaf Kindah Hotel Makkah Closed for Refurbishment
Makkah Hilton Hotel Closed for Refurbishment
Raffles Makkah Palace - Bookings Now Being Taken
Fairmont Opens Flagship Hotel in Makkah - Bookings Now Being Taken
Free Umrah Coaching from Al-Hidaayah

UMRAH VISAS NOW OPEN... Travel from 15th January 2012  Top
Jan 5, 2012
The Prophet (s) said "An Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the next Umrah.”

The Umrah season has officially begun, with the opening of the electronic visa authorisation systems by the Saudi Ministries of Hajj and Foreign Affairs. For the first time in many years, the Umrah season has opened early - last year the season opened in mid February.

Alhamdulillah we are one of the first UK companies to be authorised by the Ministry of Hajj. Take advantage of the quiet period in Makkah and travel from the 15th January – call today for a quote.

The Umrah season will remain open until Ramadan, with the last new visa applications being accepted around the 10th July 2012. As an approved Ministry of Hajj Umrah agency, Al-Hidaayah welcomes your enquiry for a FREE written no-obligation quotation.

For further information and details, please click here. Or call us on 0845 456 0845

Medical Advice from Dr Imran Zia  Top
Oct 11, 2011
Dr Imran Zia is a Lead Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London. He has accompanied the Al-Hidaayah Hajj group for a number of years and has a couple of video messages giving advice on performing a healthy Hajj.

To view the videos, please click here.

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information on travelling for Hajj or request details by clicking here.

Technical glitch grounds Saudia flight in Colombo  Top
Jul 8, 2011
Around 290 passengers, mostly Umrah pilgrims, were stranded in Colombo when a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight from the Bandaranaike International Airport was delayed Thursday due to technical problems.

Flight SV781 was scheduled to take off at 11:45 a.m. local time and fly to Jeddah via stopover in Riyadh and arrive at 5:30 p.m. The airport official added that the passengers were kept on board for more than one hour pending take-off.

An airline official said the plane came from Riyadh to Colombo on schedule with a full load of vacationers and their families. The stranded passengers are being accommodated at the Cinnamon Group of Hotels in Colombo. “We have looked after the stranded passengers well, providing them with lunch and dinner at the Colombo airport. And now we are accommodating them in five-star hotels in Colombo for them to spend their nights comfortably,” the official said.

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information on flights offered or request details by clicking here.

Tallest Golden Minaret in Makkah  Top
Jul 5, 2011
Nearly 250 workers are working to finish the construction of what will soon be the tallest golden minaret in the world which is targeted for completion within three weeks before Ramadan.

Work on the minaret, which will be topped by what will also be touted to become the world's largest crescent, is progressing well, sources said.

The minaret is being constructed on top of the Makkah Royal Clock Tower. When completed, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower project is expected to break many records in the construction world, including the tallest hotel, constructed with the tallest clock tower displaying the world's largest clock face. It will also have the world's largest building floor area, and will become the second tallest building in the world, surpassed only by Dubai's Burj Khalifa

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information on travelling for Umrah or request details by clicking here.

British Airways increases flights from Saudi Arabia  Top
Jun 30, 2011
British Airways will increase its frequency from Riyadh to London Heathrow, from five times a week to six, using a Boeing 777 fitted. The aircraft will offer a choice of four cabins that includes the award winning Club World (business class) and the airlines flagship cabin, First. The additional flights will take place for the winter schedule, which starts at the end of October.

Together with its five services a week from Jeddah, British Airways operate a total of 11 weekly flights from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to London Heathrow.

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information on flights offered or request details by clicking here.

Makkah Hotel Chef Tops Region Awards  Top
Jun 28, 2011
Talented chef Said Sayed Mohamed at Raffles Makkah Palace is celebrating being named the best Chef of the Year 2011 from the Middle East and South Africa region. The award was announced in a splendid ceremony organized by Unilever Food Solutions in Dubai recently to showcase the “Best of the Best” chefs and caterers in the region.

Chef Mohamed, a senior sous chef at Raffles Makkah Palace was chosen amongst the final few to plate up and serve his ultimate culinary works-of-art. That and his wide international experience were enough to grant him the honor in the Middle East and South Africa’s premier culinary competition.

The food was tasted and marked by a panel of well-known judges. This year, Chef Mohamed competed with six of the most experienced chefs in the regional cooking contest, which was held at the Dubai Academy of Culinary Arts.

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information on hotels offered or request details by clicking here.

Easing Tawaf: Proposal Floated to Expand Tawaf Area  Top
Jun 23, 2011
Three Saudi engineers attending the Haj Research Forum in Makkah have called for expanding the Mataf, the area surrounding the Holy Ka'bah, in order to accommodate more worshippers.

Abdul Haleem Khouj, head of the team that made the proposal, said it would help the mataf accommodate 128,000 worshippers per hour, increasing its capacity by 160 percent. The plan also envisions special facilities for the handicapped to perform Hajj and Umrah with ease, Khouj said, adding that they came up with the proposal after Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah called for a study on expanding the Mataf.

Addressing the forum on Thursday, Walid Abul Faraj, vice president of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, said ongoing development projects in Makkah would bring about tremendous improvement in Haj services. He noted the government’s efforts to help pilgrims perform their religious duties without difficulty.

Qatar Airways to fly to Madinah  Top
Jun 8, 2011
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker revealed the carrier's plans to boost flights to Saudi Arabia by over seventy percent, as the carrier would fly to Madinah starting in July, reported Arabian Business.

Al Baker said that the addition of flights to Madinah would be done with four weekly flights to the holy city. He said that the importance of Madinah to Muslim makes such an addition a must.

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information on flights offered or request details by clicking here.

Starwood Announces Plans for Madinah Hotels  Top
Jun 8, 2011
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide on Tuesday announced plans to further expand its presence in Saudi Arabia with the opening of two new hotels.

The properties will add more than 450 rooms to the holy city of Madinah. Situated in the heart of the Holy city, both hotels will be only 150 metres from the Prophet's Mosque, ensuring maximum convenience for hotel guests.

The Sheraton Madinah Hotel will comprise 297 rooms while the Four Points by Sheraton Madinah will offer 178 rooms. Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates 10 hotels in Saudi Arabia under the Sheraton, Westin and Le Meridien brands.

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information on hotels offered or request details by clicking here.

Al-Hidaayahs Ramadan 2011 Umrah Packages - Details Now Online!  Top
Jun 3, 2011
It gives us great pleasure here at Al-Hidaayah to launch our Ramadan Umrah Package 2011.

The Prophet (s) said "Performance of Umrah in Ramadan is like performing Hajj with me."

We have timed our package such that it allows our pilgrims to spend some of the last ten days of Ramadan in Makkah. Despite being the most expensive time to travel to Makkah we believe this itinerary shall allow our pilgrims the opportunity to truly experience the spirit of the Night of Decree. The atmosphere during these last nights is indescribable; not only can you join the congregational taraweeh prayer, but also the Qiyam-ul-Layl prayer which is held in the early hours of the morning.

For further information and details, please click here. Or call us on 0845 456 0845

Work to build new airport in Jeddah begins  Top
May 25, 2011
As per the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, work to build a new King Abdul Aziz International Airport here has started.

Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz laid the foundation stone in the beginning of 2011 and Saudi Bin Laden Group's engineers and workers are working on the huge project, which involves installation of the latest systems and technologies, and building integrated facilities for the convenience and requirements of passengers and airlines.

The project will improve the services provided to passengers, Makkah visitors and pilgrims disembarking in Jeddah, and support the economic structure of Makkah Province by providing many private-sector investment opportunities and jobs.

Expected to increase the capacity of Jeddah airport to 30 million passengers a year, the project includes establishing four terminals totaling 670,000 sq. meters in area, 200 counters, a luggage system equipped with the latest security systems, 96 jet bridges, 47 gates, four first- and business-class lounges, a transportation center with a Haramain Train station and the 133-meter world's highest control tower.

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information on travelling for Umrah or request details by clicking here.

Umrah pilgrims expected to cross 4 million mark  Top
May 23, 2011
The number of foreign pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah is increasing year after year and is expected to reach four million next year, said Haj Minister Fouad Al-Farsy on Saturday while meeting with Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.

Al-Farsy said Prince Khaled, who is chairman of the Central Haj Committee, urged Haj-related institutions and top officials of Tawafa organizations who attended the meeting to provide the best possible services to pilgrims.

According to a report issued by NCB, the Kingdom's tourism industry earnings from international travelers would reach SR80 billion by 2015.

The government's decision during 2009 to relax Umrah and Haj visas to cope with demand has allowed more visitors to perform religious rituals. In 2010, the Ministry of Haj increased the number of Ramadan visas for foreign pilgrims by 16 percent, reaching 911,000 visas against the planned 792,000.

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information on travelling for Umrah or request details by clicking here.

Marriott Signs Three New Hotels in Makkah  Top
May 19, 2011
Marriott has signed three hotels in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Scheduled to open in two phases beginning in 2014, the hotels are the: 636-room JW Marriott Hotel Makkah, the 540-room Makkah Marriott Hotel and the 432-room Courtyard by Marriott Makkah.

Located directly on the Haram overlooking the Grand Mosque’s plaza in central Makkah, the Makkah Marriott hotel will open in Phase 1, followed by the JW Marriott and Courtyard-branded properties approximately a year later. When completed, the three hotels will be part of an impressive multi-use development that will also include high-quality residential villas, retail services and other accommodations.

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information or request details by clicking here.

Raffles Makkah Palace Named Middle Easts Leading Luxury Hotel  Top
May 16, 2011
In a glittering ceremony at Burj Khalifa, Dubai, Raffles Makkah Palace was crowned Middle Easts Leading Luxury Hotel by the World Travel Awards, the travel industrys version of the Oscars. Votes were cast online by over 213,000 travel professionals around the world, from over 160 participating countries, who distinguished Raffles Makkah Palace above all others in the Middle East.

To read more about the award, please click here.

To book a stay at Raffles Makkah Palace, or any other hotel we offer, please call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information or request details by clicking here.

Umrah Passengers Processed Through Hajj Terminal  Top
Apr 19, 2011
Effective 1st of May 2011, all Umrah passengers booked to travel on regular flights will be processed through the Hajj Terminal only regular passengers are to be processed through North Terminal.



SPECIAL OFFER - All Inclusive Umrah from only £695  Top
Mar 11, 2011
We have a great limited time offer, expiring on the 19th March 2011. Go for an all inclusive Umrah trip starting from only £695 with direct flights with British Airways.

This limited period offer is sure to be popular and will expire very soon. With limited availability, you'll have to hurry! Please click here for further details and other offers.

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information or request details by clicking here.

Shaza Al-Madinah Opens Its Doors  Top
Feb 16, 2011
Madinah’s newest 5 star hotel has opened its doors in Madinah this month offering incomparable levels of hospitality and elegance. Shaza Al Madinah enjoys a perfect location only a few steps from Al Masjid Al Nabawi.

Shaza Hotels are guided by 100 years of Kempinski excellence. Shaza offers a luxurious, modern lifestyle experience, uncompromising standards and meticulous service, as well as a unique sensory concept influenced by Arabic artistry.

Shaza Al Madinah features 468 Rooms and Suites offering:

LCD TV
Free WiFi
Signature bathroom accessories
Special needs facilities
Hairdryer
Refreshment fridge
In-room safe
Turndown service
Wake-up call
24 hour room service

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information or request details by clicking here.

Electronic Visa Authorisation System Open  Top
Feb 15, 2011
The Umrah season has officially begun on the 14th February 2011, with the opening of the electronic visa authorisation systems by the Saudi Ministries of Hajj and Foreign Affairs.

The Saudi Embassy in London has also started accepting Umrah visa applications with effect yesterday. The Umrah season will remain open until Ramadan, with the last new visa applications being accepted until around 20th July 2011.

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information or request details by clicking here.

Elaf Kindah Hotel Makkah Closed for Refurbishment  Top
Jan 25, 2011
Due to the Elaf Kindah hotel undergoing major refurbishment work, it will remain completely closed for a few months until the necessary work is completed. The refurbishment work includes a complete makeover, new rooms, new bathrooms as well as the introduction of a grand entrance from the Haram side.

In the meantime, we recommend guests consider Makkah Hilton Towers or the Zam Zam Grand Hotel as an alternative for their next stay.

Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information or request details by clicking here.

Makkah Hilton Hotel Closed for Refurbishment  Top
Jan 25, 2011
Due to the Makkah Hilton undergoing major refurbishment work, it will remain completely closed for a few months until the necessary work is completed. Please note Makkah Hilton Towers REMAINS OPEN as usual and is NOT affected by the refurbishment of Makkah Hilton Hotel.

Many new recent hotel openings in the area leaves no shortage of alternatives for pilgrims to consider for their next stay, including:

• Dar al-Tawhid Intercontinental
• Makkah Movenpick
• Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower
• Makkah Meridien
• Safwah Royal Orchid


Call us on 0845 456 0845 for further information or request details by clicking here.

Raffles Makkah Palace - Bookings Now Being Taken  Top
Jan 25, 2011
Raffles Makkah Palace Saudi Arabia enjoys an outstanding location within the iconic Abraj Al Bait complex, directly adjacent to Al Masjid Al Haram and the Kaaba, offering easy access to King Abdulaziz Gate, the main entrance to the Grand Mosque.

Just steps away from the Grand Mosque, Raffles Makkah Palace is a refined and elegant residential sanctuary featuring 213 suites with breathtaking views of the Grand Mosque and Kaaba, making a stay in the Islamic holy land of Makkah one of spiritual serenity.

Spacious suites occupy a minimum of 80 square meters in this exceptional hotel in Makkah and offer separate living and dining spaces while bathrooms are thoughtfully designed with unique wudhu facilities in each bathroom.

Personal butlers deliver Raffles’ signature style of anticipatory and thoughtful service, complementing the residential experience at this Makkah hotel.

For a quote including your stay at the Raffles Makkah Palace, call us on 0845 456 0845 or request details by clicking here.

Fairmont Opens Flagship Hotel in Makkah - Bookings Now Being Taken  Top
Jan 17, 2011
Located adjacent to the Masjid al Haram, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel offers the finest hospitality in the holy city of Makkah. One of the world's tallest, this 76-story hotel is the focal point of the Abraj Al Bait Complex, part of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project. Among its outstanding features is a 40-meter (130-foot) Royal Clock, visible from 17 kilometers (10 miles) away, which will announce daily prayers to the Muslim world; meanwhile, the Lunar Observation Center and an Islamic Museum aim to preserve Muslim heritage for future generations.

In addition to the opulent and elegant comfort of the rooms and suites offered at this five-star hotel, 76 state-of-the-art elevators allow easy access to the holy Masjid al Haram for prayers. And, at any time, nine exceptional dining venues will be available to accommodate intimate or expansive gatherings.

Makkah Clock Fairmont Hotel Tower authentic hospitality is seen throughout 858 rooms distributed in 29 floors. Guests would have the privilege of choosing their rooms either overlooking the Kaaba - House of God - said to be built by Abraham and Ismail (Peace Be Upon Them), the Haram or the Holy City.

For a quote including your stay at the Fairmont Royal Makkah Clocktower, call us on 0845 456 0845 or request details by clicking here.

Free Umrah Coaching from Al-Hidaayah  Top
May 6, 2010
Al-Hidaayah Travel is proud to announce it's FREE Umrah Coaching sessions for all those booking their Umrah trips or packages through Al-Hidaayah.

These one hour sessions will give insight into the rites of Umrah, practical advice as to preparing for your journey, guide to local amenities and much more.

For further information, call us on 0845 456 0845 or request details by clicking here.