Like thousands of people from across the UK Razia Anwar is preparing to go on the Hajj this year. Here, she shares her thoughts on preparing for the pilgrimage.

Returning from a Michael Jackson tribute concert in Vegas this August, I had MJ lyrics racing through my head “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at your self and make that change...starting with the man in the mirror” Great lyrics.

Then my brother, who will be my fellow Hajjee this month quickly piped up on Facebook with his incredulous comment of “You should be preparing for Hajj!”.

This got me thinking deeper. Was I prepared for the Hajj?

Over the course over the last 12 months I was reading more about the Beloved Prophet( pbuh) life, I signed up to Nouman Ali Khan’s Bayinnah TV, joined MEND (Muslim Engagement and Development)’ attended level two Arabic classes, managed at least 4 out of 5 Salahs a day and started reading the Quran in English.

Charity projects were already part of life. On a recent trek my mountain guide had jokingly stated that the rest of the group could not wait to quickly descend down from the summit to have a beer whilst Raz cannot wait to get down and get to the mosque”.

I was proud to hear a positive imprint from my peers but I still wondered “Was I mentally ready for Hajj ?”

I have been on this planet for 40 years. 40 is a significant milestone for reflection, where I was in my life, my relationships to individuals, my unbelievable journeys to breathtaking, cultural enriching worlds that many will never witness.

Why did I feel the Hajj journey was to be now?

The Prophet (pbuh) was forty-years-old when he received his first revelation. Our beloved Prophet (pbuh) beautiful, strong business woman, wife Khadija (ra) was 40 when she married Muhammed (pbuh).

I had read somewhere if you carry out an action for 40 Days it becomes habitual.

Surely this was my moment to go and visit The Holy City, I had travelled to other countries around the world and ashamedly had never felt any compulsion or interest to visit Mecca until the night before the Miraj.

After taking my mother 64 years old to Jerusalem in April this year and seeing her walk around with a bad knee, it was an instant decision to book on a group this year to help her complete one of her pillars of Islam. Discovering that I had September holiday free I booked in the morning and started a connection with an informative Inamul Hassan a Satia Tour guide who was to organise our special once in a life time trip.

Deposits paid we began planning for the pilgrimage on the blessed night of the Miraj.

Yes, this felt right, a positive Spiritual mental family Connection slowly rising to another level.

This year, I had been blessed with two trips to Jerusalem which was random and impulsive in its formation.

The first trip in January resulted in amazing connections with locals leading to some great charitable outcomes, an ability to help Gazans landing effortlessly at my breakfast table.

The second trip in April was inaugurated by Israel Security Intelligence officials at Tel Aviv airport who gave me a heated interrogation whilst my patient mother sat in the cold waiting room.

The obnoxious, arrogant slightly overweight man yelled that I should visit Mecca instead of visiting the Al Aqsa mosque. I replied I did not have a Mehrum and therefore it was currently impossible. I did not envisage, two months on, from this small intimidating room that I would be planning a trip to the very place.

I wish I could say his barking orders were for my spiritual interest but sadly our agendas differed.

Three weeks prior to laying out my Hajj essentials, I reflected on leaving Sin City Vegas with a sound realisation that I was on the right spiritual path in life.

My Vegas 12 days encompassed the Rich and glitzy Cosmopolitan hotel on the strip complimentary of Dermalogica skincare. After Congress conclusion, I transferred to a hostel full of travellers, backpackers in a neighbourhood of downtrodden, poverty stricken, homeless and drugged up.

The 4 day Dermalogica skincare congress ironically had been about finding connections with people, engaging and touching people in the moment either through conversation, physical presence and emotional linkage.

It is clearly apparent with depression, suicide statistics that this vital enriching connection is diminishing fast with the overwhelming technology around us.

Focusing our attention, our mental presence, our time to the individual facing you requires more thought than is given.

This, I knew I was lacking with my nearest and dearest and would aim to potentially dedicate my time and be able to payback my parents with love and commitment during Hajj. I left the rich illuminated hotel strip not feeling enriched at all. The challenging days were at the travelling hostel where all walks of life pass through and you are nesting in close, small proximities to strangers. I was slightly daunted by the Vegas hostels but from my previous travel experiences the best memories are those when I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone, regardless of how fear sometimes gripped my heart.

Courage and an open mind in our six bunk tiny room led to creating a few beautiful connections. Made even more memorable that I was able to present myself to accomplish a sadaqa deed. I was fortunate to be there at that moment, right place, right time.

I left 5 days later feeling incredibly enriched. I felt immense gratitude, thankfulness to the Almighty creator for my physical, financial and health success.

I was grateful for the life I have in the UK. I was not caught up in drugs, no gambling addiction, I was not homeless, my parents were alive and well and I had faith in God that everything would be ok. I was tested out of all the places in Lost Vegas and I left grateful for the privilege.

Hajj preamblings have left me feeling emotionless, I tend to reflect when I am sat on a flight somewhere after lists have been checked, rechecked and packed. What has touched me is the level of kindness and love showered on me from clients, friends and random strangers after hearing my Hajj news.

Having attempted several mountain expeditions, I probably receive a handful of blessing, Hajj had surpassed that beyond belief.

The level of pain and hardship stories I have been trusted with is painful to hear.

I pray to the ones who have contacted me I am able to fulfil my promise to keep you in my prayers. The experience of being in Mecca, around the Ka’aba, I have been told will be breathtaking, magical, the most amazing place my eyes will see, my heart will feel, the soul will sense that I feel ready.

Ready for visual and no visual to truly shake up my being. I am ready to feel the connection with my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters, the beloved prophet (pbuh) and most importantly my ever merciful Creator.