Episode 34 Journey It Up
This episode of Level Up (hosted by Zad, Nabia, and Isa Plachies) focuses on weekly community news and preparation advice for Hajj 2026.
Weekly News Highlights:
Release of Molana Faruk Rylands: The program covers the recent arrest and subsequent release of Molana Faruk Rylands from Pollsmoor Prison following a legal dispute involving the Waterloo Road Masjid Trust (1:35 - 6:26).
International Solidarity: Discussion regarding the interception of a humanitarian aid flotilla and the detention of over 170 crew members (6:47 - 7:29).
Reconciliation in Cape Town: Details on the city's plan to rename Ben Friedman Square in Strand to Strand Muslim Square as a gesture of historical reconciliation (7:30 - 10:58).
Road and Health Safety: Updates on traffic law enforcement arrests and health warnings concerning a surge in malaria cases in Gauteng (11:02 - 14:48).
Sports: Mention of the Durban International Marathon taking place on the same day (14:49 - 15:52).
Hajj 2026 Preparation (16:38 - 39:16):
The latter half of the program is dedicated to sharing practical advice from listeners for those embarking on the pilgrimage:
Packing Essentials: Recommendations include packing light, using airflow fabrics, taking essential over-the-counter medicines (painkillers, rehydration sachets), and bringing a physical copy of duas.
Practical Tips: Advice on using elastic to manage long clothing in restrooms, wearing comfortable shoes for extensive walking, staying hydrated, and maintaining hygiene.
Preparation: The hosts emphasize the importance of physical conditioning and suggested "practicing" the conditions of the journey, such as getting comfortable with shared living spaces or using specific footwear before departing.
Listen to Level Up with Ziyaad, Nabihah, and Isa Plaatjes on Radio Islam International MW 1548
Episode 34: Journey It Up
Sunday 03 May 2026 / 15th Thul Qa'ada 1447AH 14h00 - 15h00 (CAT)
Watch Level Up with Ziyaad, Nabihah, and Isa Plaatjes on Radio Islam International MW 1548
Episode 34: Journey It Up
Sunday 03 May 2026 / 15th Thul Qa'ada 1447AH 14h00 - 15h00 (CAT)
Transcript
8 seconds
to dear listeners. It's just past 200 p.m. right here in South Africa and it's our favorite day of the week. Yul Aad.
20 seconds
It's the 15th day of the 1447 ah. It's the middle of the month already.
26 seconds
Alhamdulillah. And it corresponds to Sunday the 3rd of May 2026.
33 seconds
I'm Zad Plachies and with me are my co-hosts Nabia and Isa Plachis.
39 seconds
Welcome to Level Up, where we listen, learn, and grow, inshallah, with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's guidance, and we
46 seconds
break down the week's news and talk about what really matters to young Muslims today. Our WhatsApp line is open. The number is 0727861548.
58 seconds
You can call in on 0185472 or DM us on love.com. That's I L O V E Z
1 minute, 10 seconds
A O M. We on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Tik Tok threads as well as upcrolled.
1 minute, 21 seconds
So today in the program we will be breaking down the week's news as we do every Sunday afternoon inshallah and
1 minute, 28 seconds
after the half hour we will be discussing Hajj 2026.
1 minute, 35 seconds
So one of the biggest stories this week was the arrest and detainment at PSmore prison of Molana Farukq Rylands. Molana
1 minute, 43 seconds
Faruk Rylands who has been serving the Cape Town community for over 20 years was arrested and sent to PSmore prison
1 minute, 51 seconds
this week as the trust of the Waterloo Road Masid in Kenwin alleged that he had violated a court order.
2 minutes
So this wasn't just a holding cell at a police station. This is a maximum um security prison, PSMO prison if you
2 minutes, 8 seconds
know it in Cape Town. So the court order which was obtained in 2023 by the Waterloo Road Masid Trust stated that
2 minutes, 17 seconds
Molana Rylands was not allowed to lead a prayer at the Waterloo Road Masid after he was removed from his position as imam
2 minutes, 26 seconds
of the masid in 2023. According to Mousalis and the current Imam of the
2 minutes, 33 seconds
Masid, Molana Islands did not breach the order as he did not lead the prayer
2 minutes, 40 seconds
earlier this week. An imam visiting the masid had led the salah and as is
2 minutes, 47 seconds
customary in the Malay community passed the mic to Molana Islands to finish the dua after the salah.
2 minutes, 56 seconds
Alhamdulillah. Due to this fact, legally he was not in breach and was subsequently released from PSmore prison.
3 minutes, 5 seconds
The Kenwin community are now calling for the Waterloo Road Masid to be relinquished from the trust and hand
3 minutes, 12 seconds
over and handed over to be looked after the community as masid should be as it is awak.
3 minutes, 22 seconds
Here's a short clip of Molana Rylands after his release.
3 minutes, 27 seconds
Myself Rylands just want to express my deepest deepest gratitude.
3 minutes, 37 seconds
My heartfelt thanks to each and every Muslim
3 minutes, 43 seconds
that came out in their droves uh to support
3 minutes, 50 seconds
the challenge that I had to undergo to support me to overcome the challenge that I have
4 minutes
had to undergo and to come out in your draws for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala
4 minutes, 6 seconds
to fight against unfairnesses and injustices.
4 minutes, 12 seconds
While I was inside uh you know Baltimore prison, I wasn't really aware of what was happening outside.
4 minutes, 23 seconds
When I heard on one of the radio stations my name was mentioned,
4 minutes, 30 seconds
I felt a real sense of you know of gratitude
4 minutes, 36 seconds
and of you know really alhamdulillah want to help people really wants to come
4 minutes, 43 seconds
out and support and really inside me
4 minutes, 50 seconds
I felt warmth I felt supported. it and that really helped for me a lot.
4 minutes, 58 seconds
Prison in my short experience is not a place for any person.
5 minutes, 6 seconds
It is not a place for any person.
5 minutes, 9 seconds
We are not used to that type of life. We weren't brought up with that type of life. But it was Allah's plan that I had
5 minutes, 17 seconds
to maybe shortly experience what I had experienced.
5 minutes, 23 seconds
So I want to say a shukan to everyone really a real you know from the depth of my
5 minutes, 31 seconds
heart my gratitude I cannot words is not enough to explain how I you know to
5 minutes, 40 seconds
thank you all and to say shukran kiran jazilan to each and everyone for their support and their duas.
5 minutes, 50 seconds
It is your duas, your sincerity that Allah tala has utilized for me to
5 minutes, 58 seconds
have been able to pull through for this uh day or so within the PMA prison. It
6 minutes, 6 seconds
was really not a good experience even though there's a lot of things I've learned while being there for the short while. But once again, shukaran,
6 minutes, 16 seconds
may Allah reward your people in abundance. Amen. May Allah guide us all. Inshallah.
6 minutes, 26 seconds
In other news, pilgrims have started leaving for Hajj this week and we put out a question on social media. What is
6 minutes, 34 seconds
the one piece of advice you would give someone going for Hajj?
6 minutes, 39 seconds
After the half hour, we will be going through some of the feedback we received across our channels. Inshallah.
6 minutes, 47 seconds
The latest flotilla has once again been intercepted by the occupation forces, but this time they have kidnapped over
6 minutes, 56 seconds
170 humanitarian aid flotilla crew members in international waters about
7 minutes, 2 seconds
900 kilometers from Gaza and have assaulted, abused, tortured and detained them.
7 minutes, 11 seconds
Flotilla organizers safe Abukishek and Thiago Aya are among the detainees.
7 minutes, 18 seconds
The freedom flotilla coalition is demanding their release and is asking the public to contact elected officials,
7 minutes, 26 seconds
embassies and foreign ministries to intervene.
7 minutes, 30 seconds
Cape Town to rename Strand Square in historic reconciliation move. Eddie Andrews, the city of Cape Town's acting
7 minutes, 38 seconds
mayor and mayoral committee member for spartial planning and environment, used his freedom day address to a council to
7 minutes, 48 seconds
announce two significant renaming proposals and a sweeping push for affordable housing reform. The city is
7 minutes, 54 seconds
considering renaming Ben Friedman plane in Strand to Strand Muslim Square.
8 minutes
Andrews announced in his address at city hall a decision he described as grounded in both history and reconciliation.
8 minutes, 9 seconds
Ben Freriedman Square stands in an area shaped by the long-standing presence of the strand Muslim community whose
8 minutes, 16 seconds
heritage stretches back over two centuries said Andrews. Importantly, this process has been characterized by
8 minutes, 25 seconds
cooperation supported by the Muslim community, endorsed by civic and faith-based organizations, and undertaken with the support of the Freedman family themselves.
8 minutes, 37 seconds
The renaming reflects what Andrews called Cape Town's unique tradition of interfaith coexistence. Cape Town is a city where Muslim, Christian, Jewish,
8 minutes, 46 seconds
and other faith and cultural communities do not simply coexist, but have over generations build relationships of
8 minutes, 54 seconds
respect, partnership, and shared belonging. This renaming reflects that reality.
9 minutes, 2 seconds
The application was submitted by Fur Grove historian Ibrahim Rooda and Fasil Daniels supported by Professor Doria
9 minutes, 10 seconds
Daniels on behalf of the local Muslim community.
9 minutes, 14 seconds
The proposal is rooted in reconciliation and restorative justice acknowledging a community forcibly removed from the
9 minutes, 22 seconds
Strand CBD under the group areas act in the 1950s whose 200year heritage
9 minutes, 29 seconds
includes three mosques that will still anchor the square today. Nural Anoir, Market Street and Nural Islam. The f
9 minutes, 38 seconds
first place of worship in Strand the Market Street mosque was built on the square itself.
9 minutes, 44 seconds
Notably, Barry Freriedman, grandson of the late Ben Freriedman, consulted his family and expressed support for the
9 minutes, 51 seconds
renaming, provided their own heritage was not erased. The applicants reciprocated by proposing the nearby
9 minutes, 59 seconds
traffic circle be named Ben Freriedman Circle. The proposal has been endorsed by the Strand Muslim Council, Nural
10 minutes, 6 seconds
Islam and Anika Congregation, Rust Methodist Church and Muslim Judicial Council.
10 minutes, 14 seconds
Business owners bordering the square raised no objections.
10 minutes, 18 seconds
The renaming process follows a formal city route. The public participation unit compiles public comments. The naming committee reviews and makes
10 minutes, 27 seconds
recommendations to the executive mayor and council adopts the final decision.
10 minutes, 34 seconds
Well, alhamdulillah that's great news that um there's been no um objections
10 minutes, 41 seconds
thus far there's always and social media it's a buzz now because people are obviously now after the whole process is
10 minutes, 50 seconds
done there's objections but I mean it went through the process. Alhamdulillah.
10 minutes, 55 seconds
And inshallah everything will go off smoothly.
10 minutes, 58 seconds
Inshallah. Amen. Locally the traffic police highspeed unit has been busy over
11 minutes, 6 seconds
the past two long weekends. Last weekend they apprehended 24 motorists for
11 minutes, 14 seconds
excessive speeding. The suspects between the ages of 21 and 57 years were
11 minutes, 21 seconds
arrested for traveling at speeds ranging from 146 kilometers an hour to 217
11 minutes, 29 seconds
km an hour along major routes in the province including the N1,
11 minutes, 36 seconds
N4, N14, M1 and R21 highways.
11 minutes, 46 seconds
And on Friday afternoon, a 19-year-old motorist was arrested by the Echoreni
11 minutes, 54 seconds
Metropolitan Police Department after allegedly driving 24
12 minutes, 3 seconds
km an hour in a 100 kilometer an hour zone on the R21 freeway near Boxburg.
12 minutes, 13 seconds
Sure. So um just make sure that you must be careful on the roads and keep to uh your speed limits. But um I've also read
12 minutes, 21 seconds
something uh recently about um traveling and going into the other provinces.
12 minutes, 27 seconds
There there's an article where it says warning issued to Khaang residents traveling to other provinces
12 minutes, 34 seconds
because there is a surge in malaria cases with 414 cases and 11 deaths recording recorded
12 minutes, 44 seconds
by the Kho department of health you know from January to March 2026.
12 minutes, 50 seconds
Um local transmission of malaria and kheng is still rare but most cases are linked to travel to malaria endemic
12 minutes, 58 seconds
regions such as certain areas in Limpopoanga or neighboring countries and um health
13 minutes, 6 seconds
officials said symptoms can appear days or even weeks after returning home. So you won't even know that you have
13 minutes, 13 seconds
malaria. You just think that you have a flu, you know. um because most of the uh the the the problem is that the symptoms
13 minutes, 22 seconds
are mistaken for a routine viral illness. And then one of the rare cases cases that they spoke about is malaria
13 minutes, 29 seconds
can actually actually be contracted without travel when infected mosquitoes are accidentally
13 minutes, 38 seconds
transported into non-endemic areas via vehicles or aircraft. And that situation is referred to as Odysian malaria. Have you ever heard of that?
13 minutes, 48 seconds
No, I haven't.
13 minutes, 49 seconds
Okay. Yeah. Neither have I. Um so because they said and because malaria is not something many couting residents
13 minutes, 58 seconds
expect to encounter early symptoms can easily be dismissed. Delay in recognizing the illness and seeking care
14 minutes, 4 seconds
is where the real danger lies. And like I mentioned malaria is often misunderstood. Unlike many infectious
14 minutes, 12 seconds
diseases it's not contagious and cannot spread from person to person through casual contact. Um, infection only
14 minutes, 20 seconds
occurs when a person is bitten by an infected anaphilles uh, I think that's how you pronounce it. Anaphilles mosquito carrying the malaria parasite.
14 minutes, 31 seconds
So if anyone develop develops flu-l like symptoms and there has been any possible exposure even weeks earlier, malaria should be considered and tested for.
14 minutes, 42 seconds
Um, yeah, enough about that. So just make sure that you are safe on the road, safe with your health inshallah. Uh in
14 minutes, 49 seconds
other news, I want to also let you know that the today in fact the 3rd of May, Sunday the 3rd of May is the Durban
14 minutes, 58 seconds
International Marathon. It's a premier 42.2 kilometer road running event um
15 minutes, 6 seconds
that started today. That well basically is the entire day today. The 42 km part started at 6:30 a.m. this morning. The
15 minutes, 15 seconds
other part of it is basically from 9:00 a.m. up until 5:00 p.m. today. So, I don't know if you're around Durban, if you are able to maybe go check them out.
15 minutes, 25 seconds
They starting somewhere near Sun Coast.
15 minutes, 28 seconds
I think it's called Prospectton Road and they finish near Moses Moida.
15 minutes, 33 seconds
And um it's actually it serves as a major Comrades marathon qualifier.
15 minutes, 41 seconds
Okay.
15 minutes, 42 seconds
What interesting it is because the Comrades marathon is next month, isn't it? Yeah.
15 minutes, 48 seconds
So it's basically like getting them ready for that.
15 minutes, 52 seconds
If you would like to join the conversation, our WhatsApp line is 0727861548
15 minutes, 59 seconds
or you can call in on 01854702 or you can even DM us on at.com that's
16 minutes, 8 seconds
loom m.
16 minutes, 13 seconds
Let's go for a break and when we get back we'll be sharing one piece of advice you would give someone for Hajj
16 minutes, 20 seconds
inshallah tutoring mentoring homeschool assistance concessions facilitation and more
16 minutes, 28 seconds
visit after grant academy the dawn of excellence
16 minutes, 38 seconds
and welcome back to level up if you've just tuned in. We've been catching up on the latest news locally and
16 minutes, 46 seconds
internationally. If you missed it, be sure to check out the Radio Islam International SoundCloud during the week
16 minutes, 53 seconds
for the podcast. But right now, we'll be discussing Hajj 2026
17 minutes
and sharing some of our dear listeners advice on Hajj inshallah. If you would like to join the conversation, our T
17 minutes, 9 seconds
line is open. The number is 0727861548 or you can call in on 01854702
17 minutes, 21 seconds
or you can even DM us on at.com that's iOut
17 minutes, 28 seconds
is coming up and as many are preparing for their journey there are some whom have already been and are keen to share
17 minutes, 36 seconds
their experiences and advice There's still time to share during the week and if we don't get to hear all the
17 minutes, 43 seconds
stories and advice today, we can go through them in the next few weeks. Inshallah.
17 minutes, 50 seconds
Amen. Okay. So, here are some of the advice that some of you so generously shared.
17 minutes, 56 seconds
Pack all old clothes. It's hot there, so don't pack too thick. Maybe just one lightweight jacket.
18 minutes, 6 seconds
Take elastic to put around your waist for when you go to the toilet. You don't want your abaya dragging on the floor. That's a good point.
18 minutes, 14 seconds
Okay.
18 minutes, 15 seconds
Um and your kas.
18 minutes, 16 seconds
Okay. And your kas because that's also long.
18 minutes, 20 seconds
Um but um a jacket. It depends on also where you're traveling from and your layovers as well. So you also have to
18 minutes, 29 seconds
take those things into consideration. I know it's hot when you when you land.
18 minutes, 34 seconds
Um, but it depends cuz I mean it's like cold here in in Johannesburg for example.
18 minutes, 40 seconds
So if you're leaving from here, you know, like pack accordingly. You you know, don't only think of you're going
18 minutes, 47 seconds
to get there and then it's going to be like super hot because you're going to be going through different climates depending on your route.
18 minutes, 55 seconds
That's true. And coming back as well.
18 minutes, 57 seconds
Yeah. And you don't want to um you know get sick along the way going or coming back. So you know just just pack
19 minutes, 5 seconds
accordingly. But I mean good advice either way.
19 minutes, 8 seconds
Yeah. Inshallah. And the elastic around your waist so that you know it doesn't fall. I think maybe we can even try starting to do that from now um while
19 minutes, 17 seconds
we're around here wherever we are you know not going for Hajj try putting the elastic so you know maybe getting used
19 minutes, 24 seconds
to that so that the abaya and ka doesn't fall on the floor I think that's actually a good idea you
19 minutes, 31 seconds
know um practicing stuff before hajj you just mentioned about a pre-qualifier to
19 minutes, 38 seconds
the comrades marathon right um which is also like a 42 kilometer uh uh race. Mhm.
19 minutes, 44 seconds
And we don't you know like people go for for talks and um you know like they listen to stuff but they don't like
19 minutes, 52 seconds
physically prepare for Hajj you know like practice I mean uh like physically you have to be fit to
20 minutes
go as well. Obviously there are like wheelchairs and you know there is assistance along the way a lot more now than there was in previous years.
20 minutes, 10 seconds
Alhamdulillah. But, you know, if you want to have that full Hajj experience, you know, prepare yourself. Um, call a
20 minutes, 18 seconds
few people to come and and sleep with you on the floor all together, bundled up so that you know what it's like to wake up in the middle of the night and
20 minutes, 26 seconds
try to go to the bathroom jumping over other people. U you know, like we make a joke of it and we shouldn't really, but
20 minutes, 34 seconds
I think, you know, practicing these things before Hajj would make it easier. Mhm.
20 minutes, 41 seconds
Um once you're there and also if you're getting your family involved, everyone is is getting that experience. Even if
20 minutes, 48 seconds
you physically are not going to for Hajj, inshallah, may Allah subhanana wa
20 minutes, 55 seconds
ta'ala bless us all so that we also are called inshallah to go for for Hajj and Umrah.
21 minutes, 2 seconds
And then this would have already given us some type of experience in an insight into it.
21 minutes, 8 seconds
Okay. Um yes. So someone said it's easier to walk with Crocs on 5 days for
21 minutes, 15 seconds
woo. It dries 5 days for it dries quickly and no need for socks.
21 minutes, 23 seconds
Okay. So that's that's that's the 5 days of Hajj. So um I'm assuming them walking.
21 minutes, 30 seconds
Oh to make for woodoo. Oh, okay. So they don't need to, you know, like take off shoes and socks.
21 minutes, 36 seconds
Okay. And then they say tra travel and pack as lightly as possible. Pack only three pairs of vayas including youram.
21 minutes, 46 seconds
Pack a lightweight jersey, one long burka, one short burka, one pair of taw socks, travel musalah.
21 minutes, 54 seconds
So we can see who our listeners are. It's mostly they're mostly females.
21 minutes, 59 seconds
Mostly the sisters are are sending through um some advice which is good.
22 minutes, 3 seconds
Alhamdulillah. But we want the brothers to also send through stuff. Um in terms of the crux uh each person um you know
22 minutes, 11 seconds
like has a different comfort level let's say in terms of footwear. So also uh uh
22 minutes, 18 seconds
if you are planning on buying because I know uh people that bought specific footwear especially for Hajj right so
22 minutes, 26 seconds
they've gone out and bought you know whatever the the brand name is but specific um running shoes
22 minutes, 34 seconds
running walking jogging trailing whatever type of shoe but for Hajj and
22 minutes, 41 seconds
you actually need to um again break it in break in.
22 minutes, 47 seconds
So don't just buy the shoe and think, "Okay, when I get there, it's brand new shoes, so I'm going to be okay." You need to start so you get used to it.
22 minutes, 57 seconds
Yeah.
22 minutes, 57 seconds
So everybody might not be uh Crocs is a good idea, but everybody might not be comfortable walking so many kilometers in Crocs, for example.
23 minutes, 7 seconds
But if those who are comfortable with it, then you can pack those.
23 minutes, 11 seconds
Yeah. And if you if if you do your daily 10,000 steps or however many you want to do per day in crocs and you're
23 minutes, 20 seconds
comfortable with it then you know Okay. Yeah.
23 minutes, 23 seconds
Okay. So basically you're saying um uh for for those who also mentioned here you know make sure you wear something
23 minutes, 30 seconds
that you're comfortable to walk in for like like you're saying 10,000 steps. It's probably more than that.
23 minutes, 39 seconds
Okay. All right. um other advice. Okay.
23 minutes, 41 seconds
So, yes, we basically also want to hear from the um brothers because now we we're saying pack only three pairs of of
23 minutes, 50 seconds
a bio. So, brothers, how many um how many kas do you use?
23 minutes, 55 seconds
You can't you you guys are wearing all the time?
23 minutes, 58 seconds
No, but I mean there is times that you are wearing kra as well. I mean, and then if you would wear like maybe long sleeve or short sleeve underneath.
24 minutes, 9 seconds
Um anyway, take a pocket Quran and Kithab with Hajj and Umra duas.
24 minutes, 16 seconds
Okay, that's you see there again um we all think that everything is on our phone and you know like we don't want to say
24 minutes, 24 seconds
it but if something happens to your phone while you on Hajj and now you've you know you don't have access to that
24 minutes, 31 seconds
it's always good to have a hard copy. I know there's a lot of people that now um do this thing where you have almost it
24 minutes, 39 seconds
looks like a like a tasby and at the end of it it's got like um small little like duas that you can like flip through.
24 minutes, 48 seconds
Almost like a key ring type almost like a key ring type. You get different different types. One you can put around your neck. Uh one you can you
24 minutes, 57 seconds
know like hook to something like a backpack or something. So you get all these different uh formats
25 minutes, 4 seconds
but it's like the duas that you should read the steps that you should take you know the things that you should do
25 minutes, 12 seconds
obviously you have a guide there are other people but you know um there are
25 minutes, 19 seconds
these things that that that you should you know take with you just in case.
25 minutes, 24 seconds
Yeah. Um I do see someone else mentioned keep all your keabs on your phone electronically.
25 minutes, 30 seconds
So um yeah.
25 minutes, 33 seconds
No, it's it's good to have I'm not saying it's obviously easier. Yeah.
25 minutes, 38 seconds
Um than carrying a whole lot of kitabs with you, but then would you be able to charge it as often and as you can? Yeah, there's
25 minutes, 47 seconds
lots of uh now there's lots of access to you know like uh modernity than than 20 years ago.
25 minutes, 56 seconds
So um there are charging places. Um people obviously take power banks with them as well. Uh but you do have access to uh modernday living.
26 minutes, 9 seconds
Okay. All right. So let's carry on.
26 minutes, 11 seconds
Carry snacks and over-the-counter meds like pinado and emodium. Okay.
26 minutes, 17 seconds
Yeah. Medication always essential. Um especially uh stuff for running tummies
26 minutes, 24 seconds
and for headaches and and obviously pain.
26 minutes, 27 seconds
Um also ointments like germline maybe.
26 minutes, 31 seconds
Yeah. Germaline or your anica. Um oh heat. Okay. Yeah. All right. Take a swim dry ice towel.
26 minutes, 41 seconds
I'm not sure what what is that.
26 minutes, 43 seconds
I think that's just um Is it not those towels that uh like almost like a gym gym towel?
26 minutes, 51 seconds
Oh, is it the gym towels?
26 minutes, 52 seconds
Not a gym towel, but So when you're sweating? Yeah, to keep you cool.
26 minutes, 57 seconds
Okay. Oh, okay. Ice towel. Okay. To keep you cool. Okay. Someone else said, "Take along burka and painkillers." Okay, we got that. Uh try and wear a different
27 minutes, 6 seconds
color so that your hubby can spot you if you get separated. That's a interesting one. Okay.
27 minutes, 13 seconds
Or maybe just a different color scarf maybe. So that you know like or some or something that
27 minutes, 20 seconds
um basically uh uh what if everyone else has the same idea.
27 minutes, 27 seconds
So then stick your name on your your scarf. Pin your name on your scarf so that you don't get separated. You don't get lost or something.
27 minutes, 35 seconds
Okay. Buy airflow fabric or buyers and take shoes that you're most comfortable walking in. Not one that is worn in, but
27 minutes, 42 seconds
also take sandals for woodoo. Okay. All right. So, again, you know, like make sure that you're able to make woodoo easily. And then airflow fabric bias.
27 minutes, 53 seconds
Okay. So, I have another one here, but I'm not 100% sure what it is. Pack your woodoo buddy. What's your woodoo buddy?
28 minutes
Um, I don't know. I think it's it's um I think it's like those little water bottles that you can take with you so that you can make woo anyway.
28 minutes, 11 seconds
Oh, okay. So, just like a MIB uh mobile esta bottle, you also take a woodoo woo bottle.
28 minutes, 18 seconds
So, I think you need a stinger by the air as well.
28 minutes, 21 seconds
Okay. Take simple toiletries and elastic to tie your cloak. Okay. Someone else said that. Don't carry a huge backpack.
28 minutes, 29 seconds
Yeah. So I think with a with a huge backpack also you don't want to have back pain carrying a whole lot of um
28 minutes, 37 seconds
stuff. So if you can also have a few backpacks. So you know don't make one
28 minutes, 44 seconds
person carry everything. So especially like if you're going it's a family thing. Um have your child have or
28 minutes, 53 seconds
children have their own backpack with their things. The father doesn't need to carry everything for the whole speaking in terms of a father shim who
29 minutes, 2 seconds
has to always but for hajj many um just couples go not the whole yeah generally but that's why I'm saying
29 minutes, 10 seconds
you know like um spread the the weight so don't put it all on the husband she shame and the father
29 minutes, 18 seconds
okay um eat less so you won't need the toilet okay we don't need to Go more on that.
29 minutes, 27 seconds
Um, that's self-explanatory.
29 minutes, 29 seconds
Yes. Wire hangers to hang your washing in the bathroom. Cough mixture, medicine, and cold and flu tablets.
29 minutes, 39 seconds
Okay. So, again, medicine, cold and flu tablets, wire hanger. That's interesting. Um,
29 minutes, 46 seconds
yeah. So, um, obviously you need to wash your clothes as well. Um, so yeah. Can
29 minutes, 53 seconds
you carry wire hangers with you in your suitcases?
29 minutes, 56 seconds
I'm not sure about that, but obviously someone that's been sent through this.
30 minutes
So, okay. Don't bother with sticky socks.
30 minutes, 4 seconds
They burn under your feet. Just pack less. Okay. Don't forget to carry deton
30 minutes, 12 seconds
fluid to a spray bottle and spray toilets before using.
30 minutes, 17 seconds
Okay. So I suppose like those little sanitizer bottles just fill that with um Dal Savlon or Jay's fluid so that you
30 minutes, 26 seconds
have that with your travel size. So what about just having a sanitizer? Sanitizer as well.
30 minutes, 32 seconds
Sanitizer spray. Buy a simple aam from Medina. Don't overpack.
30 minutes, 37 seconds
Okay, that's someone who wants to buy from Medina.
30 minutes, 40 seconds
Um well obviously if you have the means I mean after paying the prices of packages. I don't know if
30 minutes, 47 seconds
if he's still going to go and buy you know you just want to go and make your ibada then you know. But anyway, keep all your Okay, we said that one. There's
30 minutes, 56 seconds
another one who also said keep all your keabs on your phone electronically. A lot of people are advising that. Don't take unnecessary toiletries, just
31 minutes, 5 seconds
unscented soap to wash hands and simple things. Okay.
31 minutes, 10 seconds
Yeah. I think also keeping it to the bare necessities. There is a lot of stuff there already that you have access
31 minutes, 17 seconds
to. So, you know, like don't take stuff that's unnecessary. I know we love to pack stuff especially when we go on road
31 minutes, 25 seconds
trips or you know like locally or even traveling internationally and we say oh just in case just in case. Just in case.
31 minutes, 32 seconds
And this is not a just in case uh type of um journey.
31 minutes, 38 seconds
Why you you should pack for just in case.
31 minutes, 41 seconds
No, but I mean in terms of you know like you end up with a whole boot of stuff
31 minutes, 48 seconds
because you're just in casing. Um I think you have the essentials and there's a lot of um guides as well. Uh
31 minutes, 58 seconds
lots of mids have it. Um you know there's there's lots of things online as well of the essential things
32 minutes, 5 seconds
that you need to take with you. And I think if you stick to those guidelines, obviously each person has their preference of certain things that they
32 minutes, 14 seconds
would like because you need to also be um I won't say comfortable but uh you
32 minutes, 20 seconds
know have certain things that that you are used to.
32 minutes, 24 seconds
Okay, let me carry on. So someone said take for each day take cotton leggings cotton socks double the amount of
32 minutes, 32 seconds
underwear crop tops a buyas cotton samiras pajama sets two long burkas and two short burkas take sandals for woodoo
32 minutes, 41 seconds
and bathroom and comfortable shoes for walking take shoe bags sunglasses watch and sun hat that's um contradictory to
32 minutes, 49 seconds
what you just said right now but you see these are people that have been for Hajj so they obviously know what was needed for them.
32 minutes, 59 seconds
Mhm. Right. Or what they should have taken.
33 minutes, 2 seconds
Yeah. Okay. And then they said, "Don't forget your phone charger and a power bank." Yeah. So you see you um power bank and
33 minutes, 10 seconds
phone chargers are always needed as well.
33 minutes, 12 seconds
There's someone who who thinks like you take hard copy of duas that you'd like to make and for those who ask you to make for them. So don't just take it on your phone. Take hard copy of that.
33 minutes, 22 seconds
Yeah. And then also take, you know, like if it's if it's small enough, take a few extra because you also get the for
33 minutes, 29 seconds
handing out to other Hajis, you know, like um the duas and stuff cuz they might not have access to it or they might have forgotten about it.
33 minutes, 40 seconds
Yeah. Yeah. It says keep a small bag with a pocket size Quran, your room key, phone, and sweets. Oh, okay. That's something else. Um take lip ice or
33 minutes, 47 seconds
Vaseline. Okay, that makes sense. Uh, small scissor to cut your hair at the W counter. Duas for contentment and thin
33 minutes, 55 seconds
towel. Um, small scissor. You shouldn't really have that in your hand luggage though. No.
34 minutes
Okay. Uh, take individually packaged sweets to give children sitting next to you or anyone. That's nice and sweet.
34 minutes, 8 seconds
Um, pack travel musala soap powder for washing clothes. Don't forget rehydrate or energate sachets, sunblock and
34 minutes, 17 seconds
essential medicines. Okay. and snacks like enerade, vition, vition, calcita, medicine for fluid, diarrhea, dehydration, and UTI.
34 minutes, 28 seconds
Make dua for all of us to be able to exper Okay, someone sent in a a dua.
34 minutes, 33 seconds
Let's say that at the end. Um, and then someone said, remember to be hydrated at all times. Add some salt to your water
34 minutes, 41 seconds
or juice. It makes it like a rehydrate solution. Also take an empty bottle to fill at the coolers with some salt and
34 minutes, 49 seconds
sugar sachets. Take salted nuts, bolt tong small packet chips. Don't wear any tight fitting clothes. We note that.
34 minutes, 58 seconds
Make woodoo regularly. This is also to help keep you cool besides being in woodoo all the time. Okay. Avoid eating
35 minutes, 7 seconds
heavy meals and just sip water regularly. So you don't go to the Okay.
35 minutes, 12 seconds
Someone else mentioned don't go to the toilet much. Use a spray fan or carry a facecloth to put and put water on it.
35 minutes, 20 seconds
If you're feeling sick or dizzy, rather go to the side of the road to avoid being trampled if you faint.
35 minutes, 27 seconds
Um, sure. That's uh scary.
35 minutes, 31 seconds
That is, but also very good advice.
35 minutes, 33 seconds
See, we we've been getting a lot of um you know, what to pack and um what to eat and stuff. It's nice to know what to do while you are there.
35 minutes, 42 seconds
Also, that's good.
35 minutes, 43 seconds
I think if if our listeners can also send in inshallah, you know, more of the stuff when you are there, what to do or
35 minutes, 52 seconds
where to go. Um I think or how how when you feel, you know, like how they said if you're feeling sick or dizzy, rather go to the side. So, you
36 minutes
know, I think there was a few weeks ago we also mentioned about if you were going for Umra and it obviously applies for HUD. So, you can go back to our
36 minutes, 8 seconds
Soundcloud. I can't remember which episode it was, but we mentioned, you know, like especially like um for the
36 minutes, 14 seconds
sisters, if you're in the haram, where to go for the bathrooms and um you know, like different different points where
36 minutes, 22 seconds
you should make salah and all those type of things. So those things are also um good to know. Mhm. Yeah.
36 minutes, 30 seconds
Okay. And then someone just said read up on the educational information from Sahuk. So okay just make sure you do read up on all your information go for
36 minutes, 39 seconds
you obviously are going to go for your classes and you are going to do the work. So this is just some advice from people who have been and what to pack
36 minutes, 47 seconds
and what to travel. And of course if you have more advice when you were there what you should do. And then of course
36 minutes, 55 seconds
um this dua from a listener make dua for all of us to be able to experience Hajj in our lifetime.
37 minutes, 2 seconds
That goes for all of us inshallah. Amen. That is very good advice.
37 minutes, 7 seconds
Alhamdulillah. Please keep them coming and like we said if you were there and what to do while you were actually there you know like little tips around there.
37 minutes, 17 seconds
Um it's good you know that they've mentioned what to pack but it's also good to know like what to do while we are there.
37 minutes, 24 seconds
Yeah. And maybe we can get one of the listeners who have been in the recent years uh to tell us what it's like.
37 minutes, 31 seconds
Yeah. Their journey. So that would also, you know, like in recent years what it's like now because I'm sure every year
37 minutes, 39 seconds
it would be nice. So if any of you are feeling um like sharing, that would be very nice. You know, you can just send in a voice recording that would be
37 minutes, 47 seconds
perfect. We can play that as well if you don't want to be live. But yes, once again, if you'd like to join the conversation during the week, you can do so on our social media pages at iil.com.
37 minutes, 59 seconds
That's I L O V E Z A C O M. We are on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn,
38 minutes, 7 seconds
YouTube, Tik Tok, threads as well as upscirled. And you're welcome to read the articles on our website ioveza.com.
38 minutes, 16 seconds
And if you've missed any of the other Level Up episodes, we mentioned one where you know you can go back to listen to. You can go um to the Radio Islam
38 minutes, 25 seconds
International Soundcloud and have a look at all the other Level Up um I'm not sure the title, but you can look at all
38 minutes, 32 seconds
the other Level Up episodes and listen to it inshallah.
38 minutes, 38 seconds
to our dear listeners for joining us on this lovely Sunday afternoon. Please join us every Sunday right here on Radio Islam International from 2 to 300 p.m.
38 minutes, 48 seconds
Inshallah from myself Niha from Isa and from Zad. Enjoy your Sunday and we wish you a lovely week ahead inshallah.
