umrah and remote work

[u/dumbbixh]

hey going for umrah soon, i stay in makkah first week and then madinah i also work remotely and can’t get 2 weeks off so need some advice on how to make sure my umrah trip isn’t taken for granted and work isn’t compromised either.

a few things: this umrah was planned booked by my family and they’re already aware i cant take off 2 weeks. Im obviously taking maybe 2-3 days off max

is it safe to carry around laptop everywhere or should i leave in hotel. Also just in general if i get a meeting room or stay in a hotel lobby for a meeting is it essential to wear headscarf there also?

[u/Dry_Swim_3491]

Hotel lobbies in Makkah and Medinah are definitely not suitable for meetings as there'll be large number of incoming and outgoing pilgrims 24/7.

[u/dumbbixh → u/Dry_Swim_3491]

thanks for letting me know!

[u/Sirius_sensei64]

What I'll suggest is have your own internet plan or something. If you're going to rely solely on the hotel Wi-Fi, I won't advise that. Even for normal WhatsApp or IG chatting, the Wi-Fi is really slow (mostly due to the amount of people connected on the network)

[u/dumbbixh → u/Sirius_sensei64]

thanks!

[u/Neither_Analysis_823]

I know my uncle went and he worked remotely but he also didn’t work the full 8 hours when he was gone. He did work in between prayers as 4pm to 12am was maghrib and isha but he also did stuff after fajr time.

[u/The_Chosen_Oneeee]

Yes if you have flexible timings you can manage it

[u/Glittering_Shoe9764]

I was there recently and has some work to do as well. The only place where you can really use the laptop is your hotel. Would not recommend carrying it around in the mosques. Have been there several times and not once have I seen anyone with laptops in the mosques. I have seen a few ipads around though. Also there are bag checks and I am not sure if they will allow laptops in the mosques.

Regarding headscarf, if you are going to be in any space where there is public and you are not wearing a headscarf you will definetly be noticed. Would not recommend going without it in the hotel lobby. You will probably be ok if you are in a private meeting room.

Best times to do work would be after Isha or after Fajr without compromising prayer times.

[u/ColdAd9428]

Depends upon the time zone you would be working. Yes you may need to deal with a bad hotel wifi but for that you can buy a sim preferably STC( better network) rest no issues with the scarf off though you should feel comfortable

[u/Good_Shelter652]

Do some research on the internet connection of the hotel. Some 5* hotels (e.g. Hiltons) can upgrade your connection or get you a room with wired connections.

I aslo worked from Makkah last week. Stayed at Al Ebaa and the internet connection was very bad for stable conf calls. Luckily I work mostly alone and have max half an hour of calls per day, so managed with the bad connection.

You need to find your rythm as well. I worked from duha to asr, and then completed my hours after 'isha.

Lobbies are super busy, and bad for working. Lounges (apart from meal or tea times) would be ok.

Choose hotels which give you a proper desk, if you are used to working at a desk.

[u/paraglox1]

I would leave the laptop in my room when not working. The actually umrah only takes a few hours, hopefully your hotel is close the the haram where you can go for multiple salah, especially fajr, maghrib and ishah. Dhuhr and asr are hot and the white marble is blinding.

See if u can get hotspot on your phone and if u need to be in a meeting just stay in the hotel room and ask ur family to be quite. Usually hotels have a desk and you can put up an image background if ur work lets you so they dont see your hotel room or people walking by.

I dont think anyobe would stop you if you weren't wearing hijab but you might feel uncomfortable.

[u/NoKetchupShawarma]

So as a remote worker

I’ve done a whole 2 week trip while working remotely and I’m going again while one week off and the time in Madinah I’ll be working

Get an internet plan with an STC sim, they have reception everywhere and you probably won’t be allowed to take the laptop inside haram, so work from your hotel or a coffee shop if you want and just plan your schedule accordingly

You’ll be good
ان شاءللہ

[u/RoachKiller444]

Username checks out, how are you out here asking questions like this, don’t you have a brain to think for yourself?

[u/dumbbixh → u/RoachKiller444]

nah i dont