Dates are the most commonly purchased as souvenirs from Saudi Arabia. When an important moment approaches such as during the pilgrimage, the demand will continue to increase.
Although it can be found easily in Indonesia, many people believe that dates imported directly from the Arabian Peninsula are of better quality.
In truth, however, it is not the only handmade date that can be brought home to people at home. You can also combine it with 10 souvenirs from Saudi Arabia below!
1. A prayer mat
The prayer mats sold around Medina and Mecca actually originated from Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The material is thicker making it durable. Not a few pilgrims make it as souvenirs.
You can adjust the price variations and ingredients according to the contents of your pocket. For prayer mats for the Prophet’s Mosque and the Grand Mosque, which are known for the beauty of their calligraphy motifs, they are usually pegged at prices ranging from Rp. 35,000 to Rp. 350,000.
If you want a much cheaper price, a mini or long prayer mat can be an option. The travelers usually prefer to hunt the type of traveler with unique and beautiful designs. It’s not difficult to find it, just look for the Bab Mecca Market, Suhaifa, Jeddah city.
2. Cosmetics
You should never equate Saudi Arabian makeup or cosmetics with those in Indonesia. Its uniqueness makes many women happy to make it a gift, from nail polish, perfume, lipstick to eye shadow.
The price is affordable, so you don’t have to spend deeply. For eye shadow alone, it only costs Rp. 3,500 to Rp. 17,000. Much cheaper, right when compared to those in big shops?
You also don’t need to worry about the ingredients, because they are guaranteed halal and high quality. To get it, come to Ali Murah’s shop in Al-Balad market.
3. Chickpeas
Chickpeas are also the easiest souvenirs to find because they are usually packaged with zam-zam water and dates. This type of bean is known by name Chickpea.
Chickpea not hard like nuts in general. So it’s no wonder that many people like to make it a relaxing snack. Regarding price, usually this type of snack costs around 35 to 175 thousand per kilogram.
Besides being yellow, chickpeas also available in various colors such as brown, red and black. Eating chickpeas regularly is believed to be nutritious for maintaining a healthy body, relieving menstrual pain for women, for example.
4. Abaya
Since recent times, the abaya has become one of the favorite types of clothing for women to wear on major religious holidays or other formal events.
Design one piece, makes this type of clothing easy to wear. Various models and colors make it even more beautiful when paired with a veil.
The increasing popularity of the abaya has made this garment one of the most popular Arab souvenirs from the pilgrims. Not only for women, there are also for men, but with different names, namely thobe and dishdasha.
Prices vary, the cheapest starting from just 28 thousand. It is not difficult to find it, because many are sold in Medina shops and street vendors.
5. Mukena
Like the prayer mat, the mukena produced in Saudi Arabia is also different from that in Indonesia. The difference is quite striking, the patterns and colors are more diverse.
The type of cloth for mukena in Saudi Arabia is softer and cooler when it touches the skin. In Jeddah, you can get it in a number of shopping centers around Al-Balad as well as in Bab Shareef.
All Muslim women, need something called mukenah to pray. So making them as souvenirs will definitely be very beneficial for the recipient. Whatever type you buy, make sure to choose a mukena made from cool and good quality!
6. Almonds
Peanuts are one of the main commodities in the Middle East region. Apart from being the basic ingredient for most of the food there, these Saudi Arabian almonds are also sold at very affordable prices.
Not a few pilgrims deliberately bought it to take home as a souvenir. There are two types, some have and have not been peeled. This Arabic almond is also believed to have many benefits.
The price is affordable, around IDR 35,000-IDR 175,000. So, cheap, right? That’s why many pilgrims hunt him. You can buy them in shops near the Prophet’s Mosque or the Grand Mosque.
7. Raisins
Just like dates, mukenah and prayer mats, this typical Saudi Arabian raisin also has striking differences from those in other countries.
Instead of blackish brown, Arabic raisins are more yellowish in color and have a slightly wrinkled shape. Local residents often make it as an ingredient in making cakes or complementing kebuli rice.
However, you have to spend deeply to be able to take it home. Because 1 kilogram is priced in the range of 140 to 200 thousand. It is not difficult to find it, because a shop that sells dates must also sell raisins.
8. Zam-zam water
Water which is considered sacred to Muslims is believed to be able to heal and strengthen physical and spiritual strength, as long as it follows the rules of prayer before drinking it.
You don’t need to be afraid of not getting it, because this Arabic souvenir has a source that will never stop flowing. To get it, you only need to bring an empty bottle to be filled with zam-zam water around the Grand Mosque or the Prophet’s Mosque.
If you don’t want to bother, you can buy pre-packaged zam-zam water with prices starting from Rp. 52,000 to Rp. 87,000 / bottle.
9. Kopiah
Kopiah is arguably one of the important attributes for Muslim communities in Indonesia, especially men. Not a few pilgrims, who often buy them as souvenirs. According to them, this typical Saudi Arabian cap is different from those in Indonesia.
To find a skullcap at a low price, come to the side of the road around the Prophet’s Mosque. Here, the price per unit is sold for only Rp. 7,000 to Rp. 17,000.
10. Lokum
Are you looking for food that can be used as a souvenir as well as a snack while traveling in Saudi Arabia? Then Turkish Delight or lokum can be the solution.
This unique Saudi Arabian dish has a unique shape. The main ingredients are made of sugar and starch gel. The shape at first glance looks like a malban. It’s just that, if lokum use powdered sugar or grated coconut on the outside.
Lokum also easy to find and the price is very affordable. You must bring them in large numbers when you return from Saudi Arabia.
Here are 10 lists of typical Saudi Arabian souvenirs that you can make a choice. So if you go there, don’t just buy dates!
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