Why are most hajj groups going to azizia?

[avid]

I noticed that this year, even the most expensive/'luxurious' hajj groups have a 2-3 day stay in azizia (2 days before the days of hajj and 1 day after)...i don't remember seeing this trend in the last few years. Any particular reason why or is it just cheaper? (im talking about groups from Canada/US, not sure about other countries)

Also, should this be a consideration for me if i am choosing a group - i.e. even if i manage to get a group that doesn't have a stay in azizia - will it be possible during the busiest days (2-3 days before/after the days of hajj) to even get to the haram for regular prayers?

['Abdullaah]

One reason I learned of is that the distance from Aziziya to Mina is shorter than that of Mina and the Haram area.
This helps in few ways:
1. simpler to get to Mina from your hotel in Azizya before the 8th of Dhul-hajj.
2. easier to leave Mina tent to quickly go back to your hotel for any necessities, such as shower etc.

As for your second question, you should not really have any problem getting to Haram from Aziziya. By taxi it would take you around 5-10 minutes; the longest it took us was I think 45 minutes; but it's still worth it of course. Alternatively, you could walk from Aziziya to the Haram area, and it's doable.. but would probably take you around an hour as well.

Wallaahu A'lam.

[brendonmccullum]

in Azizia before the hajj was good and the hotel in Madinah