An Initiative of Maqam Umrah
The First Umrah Project
Help New Muslims Experience Their First Umrah.
A community-powered journey of worship, learning and belonging.
7 New Muslims taken to Umrah since 2023
Community and campus collaborations across past and upcoming NMU journeys
The First Umrah Project — building the next chapter
Brother Aiden — before his first Umrah.
The Person Behind the Journey
This Is Who Your Giving Reaches.
One of the New Muslims whose first Umrah journey this community helped make possible — from preparation to his first sight of the Kaaba.
Current Mission
2 spots still needed · $7,300 current goal — one spot has been secured. Help us secure the next two.
The First Umrah Project
What Your Support Makes Possible.
Every participant is accompanied from preparation to return — with practical, religious and community support throughout the journey.
Travel
International round-trip travel arranged for the New Muslim Umrah (NMU) group.
- Round-trip international airfare
5-Star Accommodation
Makkah hotel welcomes New Muslim Umrah guests.
- 5 nights in Madinah
- 5 nights in Makkah
- Daily buffet breakfast
Transportation
NMU's private coach for transfers and tours.
- Airport pickup
- Airport-to-hotel transfer
- Madinah-to-Makkah transfer
- All group ground transportation
Guidance & Participant Support
Every participant is guided step by step.
- Pre-trip preparation
- Digital step-by-step Umrah guide
- Participant essentials
- Educational guidance
- Access to the NMU support team throughout the journey
In his own words — steps from the Kaaba.
Why Islam?
Every Journey to Islam Begins Differently.
Every journey to Allah has a story.
Behind every first Umrah is a moment someone first found their way to Islam. These stories are why The First Umrah Project exists.
The Shahadah Is the Beginning
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا الله، مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ
Lā ilāha illā Allāh, Muḥammadur Rasūlullāh ﷺ
When someone embraces Islam, a new journey begins. They need more than congratulations — they need community, knowledge, mentorship, brotherhood and sisterhood, and Muslims willing to walk beside them.
The First Umrah Project is one way we can be there for what comes next.
You Can Be Part of What Comes Next
Guided & Educational
Ziyarah, Learning & Sacred History.
Participants walk the history of Islam with guided tours and educational visits connected to the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Madinah
- Mount Uhud
- Masjid Quba
- Ajwa date farm
- Masjid an-Nabawi walking tour
- Additional activities — ATV rides in the desert & camel rides
Makkah
- Masjid al-Haram
- Jabal al-Noor
- Cave of Hira
- Jabal Thawr
- Mina
- Mount Arafat (Jabal al-Rahmah)
- Muzdalifah
Current Mission
Help Secure the Next 2 First Umrah Spots.
One First Umrah spot has already been secured. We're now raising $7,300 to help secure the next two New Muslims for the upcoming journey.
Our immediate focus is securing these next two places.
1
Spot Secured
2
Spots Still Needed
$7,300
Current Goal
Every amount helps secure the next spots
Prefer to give by e-transfer or bank transfer? Email info@maqamumrah.ca and we'll share the approved details.
A Gentle Warm-Up
Test Your Umrah Knowledge
A few little questions — no pressure, just learning.
Question 1 of 5
Where does a pilgrim enter the state of ihram for Umrah?
Know Before You Go
A Simple Zamzam Etiquette Reminder.
Small lessons from the journey can make a big difference. Brother Laith shares a simple practical reminder when drinking Zamzam.
From a past Umrah journey.
Be Part of The First Umrah Project
There's More Than One Way to Share the Khayr.
Give, give monthly, or rally your community — every path helps a New Muslim reach their first Umrah.
Support Now
Give once or sponsor part or all of a First Umrah.
Build It Month by Month
Join ongoing monthly support.
Mobilize Your Community
Fundraise, partner, nominate or bring the project to your community.
Our Real Impact
This Didn't Start Today.
This isn't only an idea. Working alongside masajid, MSAs and community partners, we've helped make these journeys possible before.
2023
3
New Muslims
In collaboration with Toronto Islamic Centre, which funded three First Umrah journeys.
In Collaboration With Toronto Islamic Centre
2024
2
New Muslims
In collaboration with 9 MSAs, including University of Ottawa MSA, Carleton University MSA, Algonquin College MSA and TMU MSA.
In Collaboration With 9 MSAs
2025
1
New Muslim
Another New Muslim joined a Maqam Umrah journey, continuing a growing effort to help New Muslims experience Umrah with guidance, community and support.
2026
1 Committed.
Ummaty School has committed sponsorship support for one New Muslim participant. Community fundraising continues toward additional sponsored journeys.
A past Umrah journey — three New Muslims experienced their first Umrah with this group, with their Umrah spots funded by Toronto Islamic Centre (TIC) in collaboration with Maqam.
7
New Muslims taken to Umrah since 2023.
And We're Only Getting Started.
The First Umrah Project is the next chapter of this work.
A Past Participant
Meet Cyrus.
Cyrus experienced his first Umrah on a past New Muslim Umrah journey. This is what it meant to him — in his own words.
The First Umrah Project Is Built Through Community.
Organizations and campus communities that have collaborated with or supported New Muslim Umrah journeys.
The First Umrah Project
Follow Aiden's Umrah Journey.
From preparation to the Kaaba — one brother's first Umrah, chapter by chapter.
Chapter 1 of 5
Preparing to Answer the Call
Meet Brother Aiden — selected for a supported journey, and preparing for it with a community behind him.
Chapter 2 of 5
Journey to Madinah
Departure day — Madinah in a few hours, in sha Allah.
An Umrah Workshop at Al-Masjid an-Nabawi
The brothers are taught and guided through the journey.
Chapter 3 of 5
Madinah, Learning & Brotherhood
Departure Day
A parting gift from the Madinah hotel.
Help Someone Else Reach This Moment.
The First Umrah Project exists so another New Muslim can experience this journey with preparation, guidance and community around them.
The journey continues — from Miqat to his first Umrah.
Chapter 4 of 5
Miqat — Answering the Call
Aiden reflects at Miqat as the NMU group prepares for Umrah.
Chapter 5 of 5
His First Umrah
Minutes before seeing the Kaaba for the first time — then through the doors of Masjid al-Haram.
A Brother's Moment
Moments Like This Are Why.
Brother Harun at the Haram on a past journey — every sponsored Umrah becomes someone's lifelong memory.
Meeting Brother Harun from France — the journey keeps giving.
The First Umrah Project — Annual Vision
16 New Muslims.
One Journey.
InshaAllah.
First Umrah Project Goal
$68,400 CAD
Help make the complete First Umrah Project possible for 16 New Muslim brothers and sisters — including their supported Umrah journeys and the people, coordination, ground logistics, participant essentials, community experiences and contingency required to deliver the program.
16 New Muslims. One Journey. Fully Supported. Every Year, InshaAllah.
Meet Jacob
Another Journey. A Different Impact.
Jacob reflects on how this Umrah felt different from the one before it — in his own words.
More Than a Journey
Faith.
Belonging.
Community.
For a New Muslim brother or sister, a first Umrah can become a defining moment in their Islamic journey.
- Prepare together before departure
- Travel as part of a supported group
- Receive practical and religious guidance
- Experience Makkah and Madinah together
- Remain connected to community after returning
The Khayr Circle
Build the Next Journey, Month by Month.
Khayr Circle members collectively help build future First Umrah Project journeys throughout the year, so the next sponsored journey is already growing before the next fundraiser begins.
$25/month = $300 toward sponsored journeys over one year.
Give as an individual, family or organization — anonymously if you wish, and cancel anytime. Monthly gifts are pooled across the community toward upcoming sponsorships.
Partner With NMU
Bring The First Umrah Project to Your Community.
Masjids, MSAs, Islamic schools, organizations and local groups — invite New Muslim Umrah to collaborate with your community.
- Host an NMU presentation
- Organize a community fundraiser
- Nominate New Muslims
- Sponsor participants
- Create a local campaign
- Collaborate on New Muslim support
- Help build future First Umrah Project journeys
No long application — just a short conversation. Public recognition is never required.
Who Is Behind NMU?
NMU is operated by Maqam Umrah as an ongoing annual community initiative helping new Muslims access supported Umrah journeys through community sponsorship.
Visit Maqam Umrah →New Muslim Umrah — An Initiative of Maqam Umrah
Community-led. Travel fulfilled through a TICO-registered travel agency.
Clear. Accountable. Community-Run.
- The full sponsorship cost is defined and visible before you give.
- Participants are always selected through a fair draw system.
- Traveler privacy is respected.
New Muslim Umrah (NMU), an initiative of Maqam Umrah, facilitates community organization, participant support, education, and group coordination. All travel bookings, travel services, accommodations, transportation, and package fulfillment are provided and managed by a TICO-registered travel agency.
Their First Umrah Could Begin With You.
The First Umrah Project
New Muslim Umrah (NMU) — An Initiative of Maqam Umrah
Join The First Umrah Project and help turn a New Muslim's first journey to the House of Allah into a reality.
16 New Muslims. One Journey. InshaAllah.
First Umrah Project Goal — $68,400 CAD