Reviews of Mina Hajj and Umra Travel Inc (Travel Agency)

Omar Kreger-Alansari

Hajj services are constant works in progress. It is necessary to provide constructive criticism in order to improve services offered to pilgrims. There are however a few disclaimers that require recognition before delving into the actual criticisms. Whenever one acquires the ability to perform their Hajj, they should not hesitate to do so. After all, there is no guarantee of tomorrow no matter how certain it may seem. The experience of the hajj pilgrimage is defined by its hardships. It all begins the moment one makes their intention to perform hajj at their original point of departure. A hajji will experience periods of extended illness in addition to frustrations common to hajj. No matter how much mental preparation is made, the trials of the experience will remain. Such characteristics detail a series of truisms that will continue well into the future even under the most ideal circumstances. After all, the literality of hajj is a trial and stands as a true evaluation of a Muslim’s faith. Having stated the aforementioned disclosure above, Mina Hajj is an agency that focuses primarily on the Somali community. After having experienced Hajj with this particular agency, the one crucial detail that I cannot stress enough is the impartiality of language and culture. The vast majority of lectures, informative material, and tours are provided exclusively in Somali. Efforts at English translation are indeed made, but critically lack inclusive effectiveness. For example, it is not exactly a practice of cultural impartiality when an Islamic lecture in Somali is facilitated at 30 minutes while its English alternative is 10 in comparison. An extra effort of inclusivity needs to be made toward Non-Somalis that elect the services of Mina Hajj. This stands as a highly feasible provision considering that once again, Non-Somalis remain as the outstanding minority within the reach of this particular agency. It is here where transparency is crucial to deliver information that is highly needed for day-to-day affairs during the Hajj experience. Although a general checklist is provided to each hajji, it is not very comprehensive and failed to include that Hajj attire must be acquired separately before departure. Hence, written communications are more effective when compared to verbal counterparts. Hotel accommodations are kept vague leaving a hajji unprepared as to what to actually expect. Luxury should never be the primary prerogative of the Hajj experience, but future hajjis should be specifically informed about the actual size, scale, and density, as far as number of persons per room, of each hotel room in Makkah and Medina. Separate hotel accommodations can be arranged for an additional cost with the same agency if one or more hajjis prefer not to share a room with multiple persons. However, this detail was not fully provided by disclosing such provisions comprehensively to hotel accommodations in Makkah and Medina. Finally, it would be very useful to introduce and incorporate a health and hygiene segmentation of the Hajj orientation informing Hajjis on preventive measures that can be taken to avoid prolonged periods of sickness; as rhetorically impossible as that may seem. For example, at the Mina Tent Encampment outside Makkah, there are no soap dispensers or other hygienic toiletries that we otherwise take for granted in the United States. It would be of immense assistance if a specific range of hygienic products and portable toiletries could be listed with recommended uses to support a uniform standard of Hajj cleanliness.

Abdulweli Farah

This review is for 2018 hajj. First week we were in 5 star hotel (Al Safwa) and excellent food services, after that was different story as honey moon ends there. They told us we will be moving to a hotel that is 15 minutes walk when in reality it is 45-50 walk to the masjid haram . Then last week of hajj foods became scarcity and we had to buy food by ourselves. Don't be trapped on their false ads, they will tell you one thing and they will do opposite which is haram in Islam. I don't recommend anyone to them as they are NOT trust worthy. Be warned! find someone else for your hard earned money.

Anisa Suleiman

By far the best agency ma sha Allah! I would recommend y’all to book w/ MinaHajj & Umrah when going for hajj in sha Allah. You won’t regret it!

Abdullahi Warsame

Excelant Service love it