MM Rahmatullah: Shortly after landing at Medina Airport, I realized that we were the royal guests of the Saudi government. Even before passing through immigration, we were warmly received by senior officials from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, on behalf of the Saudi King.
Earlier, on February 26th, at 5 AM, I arrived at Dhaka Airport with my 30 travel companions. After completing the necessary formalities at the airport, we boarded the plane and settled into our designated seats. At 8:00 AM, we took off from Dhaka Airport.
Upon arriving at Medina Airport, we were greeted with warm hospitality by the Saudi authorities as we traveled towards the hotel. In the bus itself, we were handed our room keys and necessary documents, with each of us assigned a specific suite.
At the Hotel SOFITEL, another pleasant surprise awaited us. On behalf of the government and the hotel authorities, more than a hundred people welcomed us individually with flowers. After refreshing ourselves, we hurried to pray Maghrib at the Prophet’s Mosque, where the blessed grab yard of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lies. Among the hundred thousands of worshippers, offering the first prayer in the Holy Mosque filled me with peace, and I offered countless gratitude to Allah SWT, the Almighty. After Maghrib, I returned to the hotel and had dinner with my travel companions.
In addition to us, over 200 guests from around the world had also come as royal guests of the Saudi King. After Isha prayer, I drifted into a peaceful sleep in Medina. Though we were not familiar with the Tahajjud Azan in Bangladesh, I woke up to the sound of the Tahajjud Azan of the Prophet’s Mosque.
The next day, the plan was to enter Riyadul Jannah in any way possible. After Asar prayer, I visited the blessed tomb of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and could not hold back my tears. My head bowed in gratitude before Allah, the Almighty. After sending greetings and blessings to the Prophet’s tomb, I left. Later, an event was organized at our hotel for guests from different countries, where an esteemed Imam of the Prophet’s Mosque met with us.
Our third day in Saudi Arabia was a Friday. After Fajr prayer, I, along with my companions, visited Jannat al-Baqi, the cemetery adjacent to the Holy Mosque. Before the Khutbah, pilgrims gathered inside and outside the mosque, and even in the hotel courtyard and surrounding streets, for prayer.
That same day, with the sighting of the moon, we visited the King Fahad Complex for the printing of the Quran after performing the Isha and Taraweeh prayers, as per the schedule. This is where millions of copies of the Quran in various languages are printed and distributed globally.
We also visited the Uhud Mountain and the Quba Mosque. After offering two Rak’ahs at the Quba Mosque, we visited the nearby cemetery as well.
The night was particularly auspicious for us. It was our first Friday in Saudi Arabia, with Taraweeh and Suhoor prayers. According to the schedule, we were to enter Riyadul Jannah at 4 AM local time. The feeling of entering Riyadul Jannah was indescribable. Taking advantage of the opportunity, I offered two Rak’ahs of Shukrana prayer and another two Rak’ahs of Tahajjud, praying for my forgiveness and that of everyone else.
That day, another surprise awaited us. The Saudi authorities arranged for us to visit the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophets’ Biography and Islamic Civilization, a truly remarkable exhibition showcasing the legacy of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The comparative images of Makkah and Medina from 1400 years ago and today were a wonderful insight into Islam’s history.
On the sixth day of the trip, we left for Makkah, wearing the Ihram clothes. According to the schedule, we left the hotel at 10 AM in our designated vehicle. Along with performing Tawaf and Umrah at the Kaaba, there was also the bittersweet feeling of leaving the blessed tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
On the way, we stopped at a Miqat (a specific location for entering Ihram), where we performed Zuhr and Asr prayers together. Afterward, we continued to the hotel. Even though we arrived long before Iftar, my heart was already at the Kaaba. After offering the Isha prayer, I entered Mataf (the area around the Kaaba) at the suggestion of a few companions. The joy of seeing the Kaaba up close and touching it was a precious moment. Though I wished to kiss the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone), I refrained due to being in Ihram. After Tawaf around the Kaaba, we completed the Sa’i between Safa and Marwah and later shaved our heads (Halq).
In Makkah’s Swissotel Al Maqam, we met other royal guests from around the world. Engaging in heartfelt conversations, I learned about the current conditions in their respective countries.
Two days before our departure, senior officials from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance bid us farewell with commemorative gifts. It was a day to remember.
Our time in Makkah was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. Even after returning from Saudi Arabia, the memories of those days continue to haunt me.
The disciplined life of Makkah and Medina can make any city in the developed world look insignificant. Every place we visited in Saudi Arabia left a mark of cleanliness and order. Once you visit, you’ll always yearn to return.
When our plane took off from Jeddah Airport, it was a bittersweet moment—on one hand, leaving the land touched by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and on the other, cherishing the memories of performing prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque and the Kaaba during the blessed month of Ramadan.
