As many of you know, for the last 6 years we have been organizing to go for Hajj with El Madina Travel of New York , and I have joined them multiple times. Many people from the Bay Area and over 150 people last year went with them. This year too, insha Allah, we are making arrangements to go with them, and I plan to join the group along with Mufti Mudassir from the Islamic Center of Fremont.

Due to the high demand, we have begun making our arrangements and reservations. Regardless of your final choice, it is imperative that you investigate the group you plan to go with thoroughly and make your arrangements now, so that you can get the package and travel dates you need.

If you have any questions about El Madina Travel, or just in general about the Hajj, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Packages & Details
We have a total of five packages. You can see the charges and details by clicking here.

Cost
Please keep in mind that all packages are priced from New York , we are responsible for our own tickets from SFO/LAX to New York.

We have two options:
1) Royal Jordanian from New York . In that case, you will pay the entire package price to El Madina Travel, and purchase your own ticket from here to New York.

2) Emirates from SFO or LAX to Dubai (non-stop), and Dubai to Jeddah. (Emirates will not allow any side trips on this fare) In this case, you will pay El Madina Travel for the land package, and purchase your ticket from Tri City Travel in Fremont . (Br. Zaki at TriCity Travel in Fremont. 510.494.9444, or tctravel@pacbell.net - Give him the reference for El Madina Travel, and he will book your tickets for you.) - This airfare will be close to $2400 and Emirates will release tickets sometime in the middle of July 2008. (For those choosing the direct flights to Madinah on Programs 2 & 3, you can only fly on Royal Jordanian)

In addition to this, you will need a money order/cashiers check for $274.40 for the Hajj fee. (payable to United Agents Office)

What You Need To Do (now)

• If interested, fill out the Hajj form, one per person, and mail it back to me at 325 N. Third St. San Jose , Ca. 95112
• Send a photocopy of your passport (first page) and a copy of your green card also, if you are not a citizen.
• Send a deposit of $1000.00 per person. Check payable to El Madina Travel. (After July 1, 2008, it will be $2000.00 per person)
• You can choose to register directly with El Madina Travel, but if I don't have your email, you will not be able to receive the periodic updates that I personally send out. This not only helps with urgent matters, but also is great for us to communicate on a daily basis when the visas are issued (towards the end). Registering with me would make this possible, and I would be able to mail all checks, and forms to El Madina Travel.

What You Need To Do (in the meantime)

• Make sure your passports are valid for 6 months from travel begin date.
• Marriage Certificate - If you don't have one, I can give you a letter saying you are married.
• Shahadah Certificate - If you are a new Muslim, and have a non Arabic name, a letter of Shahadah, which I can provide for you.
• Four passport photos with white background. (Costco is the cheapest place to get them)
• Meningitis vaccination proof. You can get this now, as it is valid for 4 years.

Note on Photos & Meningitis Shots
Sometime in July, the SBIA will arrange for a nurse and photographer to come to SBIA, and arrange for people to get their photographs taken (for free) and get their meningitis vaccinations. Please let me know if you are interested, so we can prepare accordingly. (Last year, it was cheaper than getting it done at a doctor's office)

Hajj Workshops
There will be 2 workshops held by Imam Tahir Anwar before the Hajj. They are each a complete workshop and only one needs to be attended. Registrations will open after Ramadan, so please register yourself to receive notification e-mails at the bottom of the page. The workshops are open to all.

The tentative dates for the workshops are:

• Saturday, November 8, 2008
• Saturday, November 16, 2008

Preparations for Hajj
Please purchase your DVD and CD on the preparations for Hajj at falahproductions.com - Br. Shafath Syed and I worked tirelessly last summer to prepare this DVD, which has helped hundreds of people last year prepare for the this journey of a lifetime. There is a special summer price with free shipping.

El Madina Hajj Group Contact

Emad Gabr - Tel. # (917) 217 6908 and Fax # (718) 442 4035
Ismail El Chaieb - Tel. # (917) 417 8151 and Fax # (718) 263 3470