Dirasa 2010

In summer 2010 you can participate in an ‘Umra trip for young Muslims with daily classes (approx. 2 hours) on the biography of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. The ‘Umra in itself is a big blessing. The opportunity to visit places of Islamic historical importance (ziyarat) and to study the life of the Prophet (Sira) in the two holy cities Mecca and Medina gives an extra dimension to the journey towards Allah.

Dirasa - the annual ‘Umra trip with Shaykh Abdul Aziz - is arranged by a group of individuals and has become a regular event for the last few years for Scandinavian young Muslims.

Shaykh Abdul Aziz Ahmed Fredericks has visited the Scandinavian countries regularly in the past few years. He has gained popularity due to his teaching methods, knowledge and wisdom.

He has travelled widely seeking and teaching traditional Islamic knowledge. Among his teachers are Shaykh Habib Ahmad Mashur al-Haddad, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman al-Khitamy, Shaykh Fethullah Gulen, Shaykh Abul-Qasim bin Zein Qayrawan and Shaykh Mahmud Galal. He has also published, translated and edited Islamic books and journals.

This year the group will include some visually impaired brothers and sisters. The sighted participants will be expected to take turns in guiding. Training will be provided in guiding people around obstacles etc. This opportunity will give you the chance to really appreciate your surroundings, whilst describing textures, colours and shapes to our visually impaired companions. In turn, it will give them the chance to fulfil every Muslims dream by going on ‘Umra.

The ‘Umra package:

We will in sha’a Llah depart in the period of 27 June and 04 July (dates inclusive). The return will be approx 2 weeks after the date of departure.

The overall price of the ‘Umra includes the following elements:

·        Airline ticket

·        Hotels in Mecca and Medina and transportation package within Saudi Arabia. We will select at least 4 star accommodations, in walking distance to the Haramein.

·        Visa costs from the Saudi Embassy and agency

·        An additional fee (approx 1000 NOK), which will cover the travelling, accommodation and visa cost of Shaykh Abdul Aziz. In case of a surplus, the extra money will be spent on the group during the travel – such as drinks, food, zam zam water, tipping etc and/or for sadaqa on behalf of the group. No one in the organizing committee or the teacher will profit from this fee. The trip leader will administer this surplus, and an overview of the expenses will be shown to the participants upon return from the ‘Umra. This fee will be referred to as “the teacher’s transportation fee”.

As an indication of the expected price, the package last year containing the same elements as listed above, was approx 12.000 NOK flying from Oslo / Copenhagen and with four star accommodation(100 NOK is approx £10). The price this year may be different, and will reflect the cost of participants' city of departure.

Application process:

The application processes has now started. You need to fill in the application form by 15th March 2010 (strictly) and send it to dirasa (at) muslimphotos.net to apply. You can also direct any questions you have to the same e-mail address. Please also read the Disclaimer, which you have to agree on to apply..

We will notify all applicants about their acceptance/waiting list/decline status no later than 30th April 2010 in sha’a Llah.

 

In addition, those whose applications have been accepted will be informed accordingly about the flights, hotel names, and information about the process of visa application, payment for flight, hotel and transportation, and the teacher’s transportation fee within the same date April.

 

Who can apply:

• Only applications from people who reside in Norway, Sweden or Denmark will be considered
• Visually impaired people residing in the UK can also apply.
• The visually impaired may also be accompanied with 1 UK residential.
• Any individual travelling without a parent or guardian must be above 18 years at the time of departure.
• Females must be accompanied with a Mahrim, due to Saudi visa restrictions.

Conditions of application of the Visually Impaired

We hope that the inclusion of sensory impaired people on this trip will become a regular event. This year is the first time we are trialling this scheme and for everyone's safety and comfort, have to put in place certain restrictions:

• You must be able to use a white cane with ease to get around
• You must be fairly independent and be able to manage money and personal belongings.
• You need to be resilient and patient with guides who may not have encountered a visually impaired person before.

Wa as-salamu ‘alaykum
Athar Akram
Dirasa 2010 coordinator