Seven Umrah pilgrimages within 15 days and 13 nights, including a visit to Madinah and a tour of Taif, with no additional charges or fees.

The fee charged is 69,000 baht, or approximately RM8,869 per pilgrim.

This is offered by a Hajj and Umrah tour operator, Haleem Haj And Business Ltd Partnership. They aim to share historical and spiritual insights, making your Umrah experience meaningful and informative.

Managed by an experienced husband-and-wife team in providing Hajj and Umrah packages, Haji Abdul Halim Salamaeng, 52, and Hajah Fadeela Matse, the offer is very attractive and considered one of the cheapest in Southern Thailand.

“We are now opening opportunities for Malaysians who want to try performing Umrah with a company from Thailand, especially in Southern Thailand.

“Language? No problem, as we speak the Kelantan Malay dialect,” he said when met by Apa Khabar TV at the company’s office in Mayo District, Pattani, recently.

Haji Abdul Halim explained that when managing Umrah packages, he and his wife personally accompany the pilgrims from Thailand to Saudi Arabia.

“We personally accompany the Umrah pilgrims. We do not hire any mutawif (sheikh) in Saudi Arabia,” said Haji Abdul Halim, who is fluent in Arabic and has lived in Mecca.

When asked whether Haleem Haj And Business Ltd Partnership also offers Hajj packages to Malaysians, he explained that currently, his company only brings Hajj pilgrims from Thailand.

“For this year (2024), not many Muslims from Thailand went for Hajj. So, the excess quota provided by Saudi Arabia is not being used.

“But we cannot take Malaysians who want to perform Hajj using the Thai quota. I am unsure what happens to the excess quota,” he explained.

Regarding the next Umrah program, Haji Abdul Halim mentioned that they offer two packages for October.

VVIP Package

For a period of 15 days and 13 nights, Haleem Haj And Business Ltd Partnership charges 85,000 baht (approximately RM10,785) per person.

This fee includes:

• Round-trip flight tickets from Hat Yai – Bangkok – Jeddah (via Saudia or Emirates airlines);
• Accommodation in Mecca (nine days) and Madinah (at Makkah Tower or Safwah hotels);
• Three meals a day;
• Transportation throughout the visit in Mecca and Madinah;
• A tour of Taif;
• Seven Umrah pilgrimages, with the first being (1) the obligatory Umrah – miqat on the plane; (2) miqat at Jaaranah; (3) miqat at Hudaibiyah; (4) miqat at Tanaim; (5) miqat upon return from Taif; while the sixth and seventh times at miqat in Tanaim;
• Three pieces of luggage and backpacks;
• Ihram clothing (for men) and telekung (for women);
• Hajj and Umrah guidebook; and
• Shoe/slipper storage bag.

Standard Package (69,000 baht or approximately RM8,869)

The fee is the same as the VVIP Package, except for the hotel in Mecca, which is less than 200 meters from Masjid al-Haram, while in Madinah, it is the Safwa or Dar Al Iman Hotel.

For both packages, a deposit of 20,000 baht (approximately RM2,537) is required.

Further explaining, Hajah Fadeela mentioned that pilgrims would be taken to visit several historical sites, including Masjid Quba, a date farm, Masjid Qiblatain, Jabal Uhud, the City of Badr (the site of the Battle of Badr); and the Poison Well and Ring Well (near Masjid Quba).

For the author, the prices offered by Haleem Haj And Business Ltd Partnership are affordable compared to the services and visits, including to Taif.

So, the author asked Haji Abdul Halim, and he gave a brief yet profound answer:

“We want to give.”

When choosing Haleem Haj And Business Ltd Partnership for Umrah or Hajj packages, you are actually choosing:

• A trusted service provider with years of experience;
• Affordable services that fit your budget;
• Quality accommodation and services;
• Packages that can be customized to your needs; and
• Knowledgeable guidance for a meaningful and educational experience.

Muslims, including those from Malaysia, who are interested in performing Umrah with Haleem Haj And Business Ltd Partnership can get more information by contacting +66 89 987 6383 or +66 98 822 0881.

The City of Taif

Located about 70 kilometers from Mecca, Taif is a historical city worth visiting, with one of its main attractions being Masjid Al-Qu’a and Al-Qantara, situated in the Al-Mathnah neighborhood.

Masjid Qantara, also known as Masjid Al-Madhoun, was built approximately 162 years ago during the Ottoman era. Its architectural design was inspired by Abbasid architecture.

Meanwhile, the farm where Prophet Muhammad ﷺ rested after being expelled from Taif while preaching, and was offered grapes by a farmer named Addas, is located across from the mosque.

Another popular mosque in Taif is Masjid Al-Qu’a, built about 800 years after the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s passing.

The choice of Taif was due to its strategic location, being one of the most populated areas and a center of trade. Taif was also chosen because it was home to the Banu Thaqif tribe, one of the respected tribes in the Arabian Peninsula at that time.

However, the arrival of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who traveled about 100 kilometers on foot from Mecca, was not well received. The Prophet ﷺ was even mocked, stoned, and expelled.

The Prophet ﷺ remained calm. While sheltering in a date palm orchard, he prayed to Allah SWT for help.

The angel Gabriel, witnessing the event, said:

“Allah knows what has happened to you and these people. Allah has commanded the angels of the mountains to obey your orders.”

The angel guarding the mountain then said:

“O Muhammad! Indeed, Allah has heard the words of your people against you. I am the guardian angel of the mountain, and your Lord has sent me to you so that you may command me according to your wishes. If you wish, I can overturn the Akhsyabin Mountain on them.”

However, the Prophet ﷺ’s response was very touching. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gently said to Gabriel and the mountain guardian angel:

“Even though they reject Islam, I hope, by Allah’s will, that their descendants will one day worship Allah and serve Him.”

The Prophet ﷺ even prayed, saying:

“O Allah! Guide my people, for they do not know.”