Wonderfull experience with the company and highly recommend

My husband and I would like to thank Br Masood for a wonderful first hajj experience we had this year (1432H/2011) with the help of Crescent Tours. We couldn’t be more impressed with the service his company offered from the time we made the initial enquiries to the completion of the trip. Br Masood is very good at keeping us informed at all times, he’s very truthful and punctual with his telephone calls, email responses and always conducts himself in a professional manner. We received everything that was promised in the package if not a lot more than what we asked for. We love the location of the Aziziyah apartment, although extra space in their dining room would come handy to fit everyone in, otherwise we had a pleasant stay. The food in Aziziyah was alright, by the third day I was all curried out. So it was nice when Br Masood balanced it out with curry-free-day menu on the last couple of days (he read my mind there with the Al Baik chicken for dinner). The Movenpick hotel in Makkah was super nice in every aspect, we only have good comments about it. I quite like the location of our Madinah hotel, it was a direct route and only a few blocks away from the women entrance of the prophet’s mosque. The room was a little bit smaller compared to the Movenpick’s, just enough to swing a cat but we were not there to admire the structure of the hotel and its contents. Whilst in most cases it was beyond the Crescent Tours’ control and it is unfair to hold Br Masood solely responsible for it, the chaotic exit process out of Jeddah airport and transportation arrangements while in Saudi were somewhat challenging for us. It is almost a crime to mention this little hiccup, as we all know how much time and effort Br Masood invested in the group which would have put other hajj operators to shame. It would not go unnoticed how Br Masood walked us virtually hand in hand from our Aziziyah apartment to Mina and Jamarat and vice versa on several occasions. At one time we could not locate an ATM near the Mina/Jamarat area and Br Masood personally lent us 100 riyals to purchase a late night snack which we believe went far beyond what a normal travel agent would have done in this situation (also thank you for lending us your iPhone when we were in such a need). We think that Br Masood and his boutique company have set a new benchmark in customer service excellence. Our Mina experience was somewhat better than our initial expectation, the tents were perhaps a little bit luxurious compared to what some other countries had. Toilets were challenging especially during peak hours, not sure if Crescent Tours have much influence on the facilities in Mina, though, I was curious if breakfast, lunch and dinner menus in Mina could have been made varied and made small in terms of the size as we wasted so much food while staying there. Perhaps this, together with the chaotic entry process to the country could be incorporated in the company’s feedback if the Saudi government is seeking a room for improvements in the future. Ziyarath tours were short and sweet we seemed to run out of time in some cases but personally I prefer not to miss a fard prayer if we had to prioritise. In regards to access to spiritual enrichment during hajj we were very pleased to have a dedicated sheikh to help with our concerns and queries, I believe not all hajj operators provide this kind of extra service. Although, it would have helped to have a structured spiritual program communicated to us as part of the package and made known prior to the departure so we’d all know what to expect. I also wished that we had more frequent talking sessions (khutbah) especially involving the female group but this is just my view which may not necessary a reflection of the group’s view. Nevertheless we were very happy with how approachable and patient our Sheikh Khalid was to our needs. In conclusion, we had an overall excellent hajj experience with Crescent Tours and would like to extend our personal thanks to Br Masood and Sheikh Khalid to help making our hajj experience very spiritually uplifting and memorable. We have recommended the service of Crescent Tours to some people we know and will continue to spread the good word about it to everyone else. I wish Br Masood the very best of everything in the future and may Allah reward him with the goodness of this world and hereafter. Warm Regards Reina

Thank you very much for the wonderful experience we have had during our Hajj Tour to Mecca and Medina. Overall the experience had been great. More specifically, your communications with us via email and phone (including text messages) kept us well informed - a very important aspect when we are undertaking a journey of a lifetime to a new place. Singapore Airlines was great, the transit facilities were good. The food in Aziziyah was excellent, although sometimes delayed due to traffic closures. We were also given a laundry service, which was excellent. Facilities in Mina were acceptable, although it could have been better if the toilet facilities are upgraded. For this reason going from Mina to Aziziyah and back was a good alternative, however, a road map would have helped us from walking in the opposite directions, at times! If these can be taken care of , the HAJ experience will be a whiz as both the hotels Movenpick in Makkah & Radisson Blu in Madinah were just excellent. Transportation during Haj, to and from Mecca had been a nightmare at times (after Muzdalifa going to Mecca for tawaf and coming back had been a problem), all other times the transportation were good and punctual. The conduct of Ziarath tour was good. The group leader was always accessible and attended to all enquiries and resolved problems whenever required. However, talking with other group members, we found our group had far better facilities, so we would like to say thank you for keeping up with your promise for providing a better service. Further, the interaction amongst the group members had been very friendly. We have come back home with memorable experience which we continue to share with our families and friends. So much so, we are thinking of going again, perhaps in a few years time, if not earlier! By the way, Abdul and I will be hosting a dinner for all the Sydney Hujajs towards end of December and if others from interstate are able to come, they are more than welcome. Jazak Allah, Zubeda

I had a good experience considering it was my 1st experience. I found Masood a friendly and helping person and not greedy & timely guidance & instructions were arranged. A little more communication would have been better but we can understand its not always possible. Everything was provided as per the advertised items, however, transport at Mecca could/should be organised in a better way. Accommodation after the Hajj at Movenpick Hotel was very good, clean & convenient as it was within the courtyard of the Haram and well served compared to other Hotels. Madina was ok but not as good as Mecca. At Mina, it was hot for some people and cold to others. Room mates should be checked for snoring and other habits etc. I would recommend anybody to deal with this Company based on my experience and considering Masood's dealing and overall better kept promises.

My wife and I were very pleased with the service that Crescent Tours provided to our Group. We definitely appreciate all the hard work and effort that they put into making it a success. Everything went better than expected and allowed us to have a nice and peaceful Hajj experience. Thanks again to Crescent Tours and specially Brother Masood for looking after us. To top it of my request for Magaz Fry was fulfilled on the last day. Abdul Sacur (Dado) & Safiyya

Our journey with Crescent tours has been really nice. We took a package of Dubai and Umrah. Everything was very well organised from our pickup from airport to transfers to respective hotels, ensuring we are assigned hotel rooms as informed in package, food etc. Not just this, they have been very patient and polite in guiding us completely about Umrah like where you can buy ihram, umrah guide book, briefing about how to perform Umrah etc. For anyone who is performing umrah for the first time like we did ,all these details and information that were shared by Crescent tours was very helpful. Overall it was a pleasant experience travelling with Crescent tours.

My first Umrah trip with Crescent Tours and I can’t wait to do it again, a lifetime experience. It was a privilege to have had this experience with such an amazing team and our team leader brother Shiraz who was very helpful and knowledgeable upholding the spiritual atmosphere throughout the entire journey. I highly recommend Crescent Tours as their service is 10/10, you will be looked after and all you need to do is enjoy your trip. Many thanks to Crescent Tours. Halima Chakik

Myself Abdul and my wife Munah both very much appreciate and thank you for your services and maybe in few years come for the future Hajj trips, we know where we can contact you. We are missing all the brothers and sisters get together at Aziziyah Apartment, feeling sad and sorrow, when shall we meet again. My wife Munah have suggested in future maybe you can have a Lady to co-ordinate in the women side, for men already have Sheikh Khalid Shah, just a suggestion Thank you Kind Regards Abdul & Munah

I would highly recommend Crescent Tours. It was the first time for our Umrah. Brother Maqsood and brother Sheraz made it a seamless experience. It was over and above what we thought it would be. We have learnt a lot from Brother Sheraz's knowledge and being under his directorship. This is a journey of a lifetime and an experience that will be unforgettable.

First of all we are very thankful to Allah who has granted us this opportunity to perform Hajj this year and we ask Him to not only help us to maintain our level of Imaan and also invite us again. Me and my wife found the Hajj experience extremely pleasant and we were very satisfied with your service in terms of accommodation, transportation and meals. Allhumdulillah we are very happy and wish to travel with your group again Inshallah. And we hope we get the same sort of remarkable people with us in our group Inshallah as we did this year. Please pass on our Salams and regards to every single one of the people in our group who made our Hajj experience as enjoyable as it was. We pray to Allah if it is possible that we could get together and go to Hajj again, Ameen. We don't especially want to forget to mention Sheikh Khalid's remarkable knowledge and wisdom granted to him by Allah and he has helped us throughout the whole trip. May Allah reward him immensely and make him more knowledgeable, Ameen. And yes, Sheikh Khalid was right in saying that the best time we had was the time we spent in Aziziyah Apartment. Jazakallahukhair, Thank you and Assalamualaikum Shahbaz Rafiq

This November I took my second unmmrah with Crescent tours and I was delighted with the service again. We were accompanied by brother Shiraz this time ( my first trip was with Masood) and both are professional. I highly recommend going with them. In shaa Allah I am planning for my third trip with them soon.

Alhamdulillah we are all doing well and back to work. The cough is still lingering around but nor causing too much trouble :) I am back at work and so is Suzanna. Words cannot express how grateful we are to you for making our trip such a memorable one. We have already told our friends about the fantastic job you have done and been recommending you to our friends already. You have worked very hard to deliver us such fantastic service and may Allah reward you for such dedication. We personally do not feel there were any shortcomings, and if there were any, then Allah wanted it to be that way so we can have more patience. Sheikh Khalid has also been incredible, and importantly, we have found a friend in him. A friend we can turn to for any advice we need. Kind regards and may Allah give you the strength to keep up the great work. Dr. Jilani

I would recommend Crescent Tours in a heartbeat. Masood Sheriff organised the whole trip with ease. It was a trip of a life time. It was definitely a life changing experience for me. The organisation is excellent and the variety of hotels and venues was great. I’ll always remember this time. Upon arrival I was warmly welcomed by the tour guide (Sheraz) who is very kind and knowledgeable. It was a friendly atmosphere from the get go. The guide and tour was extremely good, well timed and managed. Many thanks again and I highly recommend Crescent Tours for your next trip.

I hope and pray that this email finds you in the best of health. I am writing to you to thank you, on behalf of my wife and I for organising our Hajj trip. We were thoroughly pleased with the service and although we faced some health issues we are happy and thank Allah for allowing us to accomplish Hajj. I would like to congratulate Crescent Tours for your selfless work and all the sacrifice you have made to make sure our Hajj goes well. A special thanks goes out to Sheikh Khalid for his beautiful lectures and for being so approachable. I would gladly recommend your services to future pilgrims. We are grateful to you for having organised the best hotels and accommodation (with meals) for us. The Aziziyah Apartments were a great experience and we are thankful that all meals were provided. The Raffles Hotel was amazing and the view of the Kaaba second to none. The Shaza Hotel in Madinah was very close to the Haram and very comfortable. I pray that Allah SWT reward you for your work and we are forever grateful. Dr. Ashraaf and Sis. Aadilah

I recently had the privilege of traveling with Crescent Tour Group for both Umrah and a trip to Turkey, and I can honestly say it was an unforgettable experience. From start to finish, the entire journey was meticulously organized, and their attention to detail made all the difference. The Umrah experience was especially moving, as Crescent ensured that everything from visa processing to accommodation was handled seamlessly. Our guides were knowledgeable, respectful, and truly made the religious significance of the trip come alive. They provided excellent support every step of the way, making sure we had everything we needed while maintaining a serene and spiritual atmosphere throughout. I highly recommend Crescent Tour Group to anyone looking for a smooth, enriching, and memorable experience, whether for Umrah or exploring beautiful destinations like Turkey. They truly deliver a 5-star experience!

When we were reviewing information, advice and references for different tour operators the one thing that stood out the most for Crescent Tours from other more popular operators was the information displayed on the website regarding Hajj. Especially, in regards to the details given about the tour itself such as details regarding what is included in the price, the itinerary, a FAQ page, hotel information etc. For us this was the main selling point because we felt comfortable knowing exactly what was being offered. The other great thing about Crescent Tours was Masood Sahib always answered the phone to help answer any queries or questions I did have. When we finally did commit to going with Crescent we always knew what was required next and when, for example submitting the passports and visa applications. Plus Masood Sahib came with us on the Hajj! I never expected the tour operator to go along with his customers, which added further to our confidence. In Saudi, we got the chance to interact with many other groups from Australia and again we sensed and experienced significant difference in the organization of our group vs. other groups. On Hajj, everyone is tested with patience, we too had a couple of instances where we had to wait long hours (eg: post immigration at Jeddah), but we were always kept up to date and this was a very reassuring feeling to have. Another example is during the time spent at Arafat and Muzdalifa, we were always well informed about where to meet, what to expect in terms of time and delays Sheikh Khalid who attended with us on the Hajj was excellent. We received regular talks/information events about Umrah, Hajj, purpose of Hajj, useful duas to make, prior to beginning of Hajj and we also received talks during our time in Mina. We found Sheikh Khalid to be very friendly and engaging. He made himself available to answer any questions we had outside of these talks and we were able to develop a good rapport with him. The hotels we stayed in post Hajj in Makkah and Medina were both excellent and exactly as offered on the website. I highly recommend Crescent Tours to anyone looking to perform Hajj in the coming years. Organisation is excellent, the size of group (approx 70) is just right, the price may be higher compared to other tour offerings, but what we received in return is more than what I imagined. We were very grateful that we had a trouble-free Hajj. One last thing piece of advice I would give to potential new Hujjaj; prepare as much as you can in terms of studying about the Hajj and its significance, as well preparing physically for the long walks (from Mina to Arafa, doing tawaf at the Haram on the roof, Saii between Safa and Marwa). Assaalaam alaikum Faisal Qureshi

It was definitely a well worth it trip. The tours were well covered the hotels were at the best locations. Rest assured you're well looked after by our organiser Masood. I would recommend Crescent Tours everytime.

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you with a feedback. MashaAllah our hajj journey was fabulous. We can not thank you enough for helping us see this journey through from beginning to end. The level and quality of information provided on your website and at the seminar pre departure is excellent. We chose crescent tours based on the information that was on the internet. We were quite apprehensive as we didn\'t know anyone who had been with you before and your package sounded too good to be true. The cost seemed cheap for the hotels that were on offer but MashaAllah everything was as promised on the website. We really appreciated all the lectures given by Sheikh Khalid Shah. He is an excellent speaker and was always willing to help and clarify things. We just wished there were some talks scheduled when we were in the hotels in Mecca and Madina to help guide us in our ibadat in the harams. We understand though how it may be hard to organise as people tend to have their own agendas during that part of hajj. It would have been nice to have had an option of attending. We had the best hajj experience with crescent tours. We have no hesitation in recommending crescent tours to anyone and have in fact already recommended crescent tours to family and friends who are planning on going in 2015. Your hajj package for 2015 looks so good that it makes us want to go back. Thank you brother Masood for all your help in making our journey a success and special thanks to Sheikh Khalid Shah for making this journey so spiritually enriching for us. JazakAllah Khair Shazeed and Safinat

Such a lovely Umrah experience via Crescent Tours. Mr.Masood was very helpful.He was available 24/7 for any help, very humble person. Organized private transfers for my family, as we arrived early before the group. Properly guided ziarat tour with excellent Sheiks. Loved the service ,accommodation A to Z.

Sorry for the delay in response. The first week back was mainly recovery and then we had sponsored a dua at a mosque on the 15th Nov so getting food organised for approx 160 people took some time. Anyway we had not forgotten and wish to thank you and Shaik Khalid Shah for your help in making our Hajj a memorable experience. May Allah reward you both for making this rewarding journey possible for us and for all other muslim families who were part of the 2014 Hajj group. Sohail sends lots of hugs to his best friend. We initially chose Crescent Tours from the many Hajj tour guides on the web because of the detailed information on their web page regarding their package price, inclusions, itinerary, hotel details and much more. On further research I found a high school friend who had gone on 2013 Hajj with Crescenttours and he had nothing but praise for Br Masood and Shaik Khalid Shah for their professionalism. Once we registered with crescent , bank account was set and progressive payments were made once a month. The invoice was updated to show the progress. In June our Ihram, Hijab and books arrived as promised and I would advise all intending to go on Hajj to study these books and watch/read info on internet. Closer to Hajj we attended the briefing in Brisbane presented by Br Massod and Shaik Khalid Shah. Shaik Khalid Shah's talks are not to be missed. Once the Shaik begins his presentation, believe me, he will have your undivided attention. His talks are informative and presented in a jovial manner, and, when he finishes, any fears you may have had about your prepardness, will Insha Allah, be allayed. Br Masood briefed us on the itinerary and issues that we need to be prepared for in Jeddah, such as visa processing and transportation. As a group we all met for the first time in Abu Dhabi. Briefing again by Shaik and Br Masood. After donning our Ihrams we all departed for Jeddah. This year the visa processing was fast, approx 90 minutes. The buses that transported us to our apartments in Shisha, as I understand are allocated by minstry of Hajj SA, and it is a logistic nightmare to transport so many people by bus. However it all happens, and we had to wait our turn. After our arrival in Shisha we had some rest and then we went to Haram to perfom Umrah. Brother Masood and Shaik, guided us through King Abdul Aziz Gate 1 into Haram and from here, most of us separated and went on our own. The next two nights we rested in our apartments and after Fajar on 8th of Dhul Hijja we left for Mina for Hajj. Shaik Khailid's talks continued in the tents and by now, we were all in our comfort zone as regards to Hajj protocol. For Brothers and sisters going for Hajj, I would offer the following advise: 1. Take some antibiotics with you as precautionary measure. (The chemist in makkah and Medina will dispense these as well,as long as you know what you need). 2. Do some walks, as you will do almost 4Km on completion of Saee. The tawaaf distance will vary depending on the level. 3. The Jamaraat is on 4 levels and entrance and exit are one way. No need to rush, walk to Jamaraat from Mina is approx 30 mins, from Shisha 20 mins. 4. You are there at invitation of Allah Subhanaltallah, please thank Allah,exercise sabr, smile at your fellow brothers, and soak in the experience. The Ziyaarat of Makkah was conducted by Shaik and Ziyaarat of Medina by Shaik from South Africa (forgotten his name). Both these tours were interestsing and informative. Hotels both in Makkah and Medina were 5 star, and in excellent location. Our family was very lucky indeed as our room in Makkah overlooked Kaba. I would personally recommend Crescent Tours to anyone. I saw Br Masood and Shaik Khalid Shah's, committment to assist and help all who needed it. Br Masood has detailed infomation on the web page as to what Crescent provides and we got all that and more . He responds to your e-mails and phone calls in a timely manner. My family and I take this opportunity to thank Allah Subhanaltallah for His invitation and thank Br Masood and Shaik Khalid Shah and all our brothers and sisters of the 2014 Crescent Tours Hajj group for making our journey a memorable one. Hajj Mabroor Jaleel, Shainur and Sohail Shah

I would recommend them anytime for your Umrah or Hajj. Masood our organizer and guide was very professional and know what needed to be done when and where. He made our experience very memorable and a pleasure to deal with. if we had any problem Masood was there to deal with it and help to get things back on track. Overall everything went very smoothly. I WILL USE THEM ANYTIME.