Labayk Allahoema Labayk

The bus drive from Madinah is probably the saddest bus ride one can ever take. Leaving the city of our beloved Prophet pbuh I managed to capture last glimpse of the holy mosque;

But with this sad farewell there is also the excitement of reaching Makkah. Seeing the holy Kaaba, the place we face to five times a day, the place we face when supplicating to the Almighty for gratitude and needs.

This time is especially exciting and special for me as I will be leading my family to the holy haram of Makka. Leading my kids so they can see the Kaaba for the very first time with their naked eye.

But before we get there there is still the rituals of umrah to be completed.

We finally reached our hotel at 10pm, got settled into our rooms by 11:30pm. The group decided to perform the umrah tawaaf midnight but because we got our rooms last be the time we were ready it was 12:30am. Then as we walked to the haram we caught up with the group and joined them.

I can never explain to you what it is like walking into the haram holding your little girls hand, your wife and two other close by. Leading them in order for them to see the Kaaba for the first time. We gave them strict instruction dont look up until we tell you to. Then I as i stood with them i could finally say "look up". That was it - their first glimpse, all our sacrifces, our times apart, missing eid, missing birthdays, miss them, not being there - that moment, made everything worthwhile.