Kassala

Kassala, a vibrant city in eastern Sudan, has long been an important cultural and historical hub. Its unique fusion of African, Arabian, and Nubian influences make it a fascinating destination for Muslim travelers seeking adventure, history, and spiritual connections. This guide will provide an overview of Kassala's attractions, lodgings, and culinary delights while catering to the needs of Muslim visitors.

Kassala Halal Travel Guide

Kassala is surrounded by the majestic Taka Mountains, which not only provide a picturesque backdrop to the city but also offer exciting hiking and trekking opportunities. Mount Totil and the highest peak, boasts breathtaking views of Kassala and its surroundings. Many local residents believe that these mountains hold spiritual significance, making them an ideal place for meditation and reflection.

Situated at the foot of the Taka Mountains and the Khatmiya Mosque is a must-visit site for Muslim travelers. This historic mosque was built by the Khatmiya Sufi order and features stunning architecture and intricate designs. Visitors can join local worshippers during prayer times or explore the tranquil grounds of the mosque complex.

Constructed during the Italian colonial era, Al Gash Bridge is an impressive structure that spans the Al Gash River. The area surrounding the bridge is ideal for picnicking, bird watching, or simply enjoying a leisurely walk along the riverbanks.

Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Kassala's main market, where you'll find a variety of local products, from textiles and handicrafts to spices and fresh produce. This is a great place to pick up souvenirs or try some delicious Sudanese street food.

Culinary Delights

Kassala offers a diverse range of dining options, with some Halal restaurants and street vendors serving halal food. Traditional Sudanese dishes, such as ful medames (cooked fava beans), taamiya (falafel), and gurasa (flatbread), can be found in local eateries. For those craving international cuisine and there are several restaurants offering Middle Eastern, Indian, and other global flavors.

Learn basic Arabic phrases: While English is spoken in some hotels and tourist areas, learning a few basic Arabic phrases can help enhance your travel experience and enable you to communicate with local residents.

The local currency is the Sudanese Pound (SDG). It's recommended to exchange money at official bureaus or banks, as rates offered by street vendors may not be favorable.

Kassala is generally a safe city for travelers, but it's always wise to exercise caution and follow standard safety precautions, such as not walking alone at night and keeping valuables secure.

Travel to Kassala

Buses leave Kassala for Khartoum (7 hours), Gedaref (3 hours) and Port Sudan (7 hours). The better bus companies tend to get booked up early, so if you want a comfortable journey book tickets a few days in advance. Otherwise, turn up at the bus station and take one of the more ramshackle options.

Smaller buses and shuttle vanes head to destinations around Kassala, like Halfa al-Jadida, Khashm al-Ghirba and Aroma.

You need a permit to enter Kassala, and these are checked thoroughly at the entrance to the city, just before arriving at the bus station. You can get a permit from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs in Khartoum (close to Khartoum University), which can take a couple of hours or several days depending on their mood. If you leave the city on a day trip, you may well have trouble getting back in. As of March 2010 and the permit to Kassala can easily be obtained at the Permits Office across from Dandas Hotel (southeast corner of the intersection) with one photo, three copies of your passport and Sudanese Visa, and a form you fill out on location. The whole process is free and takes about 5 minutes.

To Eritrea and the border is apparently open, and the place to head for is Souq Tesenei, a small bus station in the 'Aamiriya neighborhood.

Kassala center Totil - Kassala_center_Totil

Get Around

Souq ash-Sha'abi is Kassala's bus station, just off the main Khartoum-Port Sudan highway and quite a distance from the centre of town. Local buses and taxis meet most bus arrivals.

Al-Mowgif al-'Aam is the central bus station, a large square in the middle of the souqs. Buses a tourist might need to use include Khatmiya (for the old quarter of Khatmiya, Tomb of Seyid Hassan and the cafes on Totil Mountain), Souq ash-Sha'abi (for the inter-city bus station), Banat (for the Gash river and colonial railway quarter), and the lorries to Sawagi Janubiya and Sawagi Shamaliya and the two areas of farmland to the south and north.

Kassala does not have many taxis and no rikshas.

What to See

Khatmiyya_Hasan_tomb - Tomb of Seyyid Hassan.

The souqs are lively and colourful, with many people dressed in clothes unique to their tribe.

• Souq an-Niswaan is the "women's souq" where baskets and mats are made, as well as coffee making equipment and incense.
• Souq ar-Rashaida is where the Rashaida tribe gather, selling their bright red and black robes for women and coloured jellabiyas for men.
• Khatmiya is the old part of Kassala, underneath the mountains of Taka, Totil and Aweitila (huge, you can't miss them). The main sight is the tomb of Seyyid Hassan, a local holy man who is buried in a roofless dome next to a semi-ruined mosque. Locals tell you that he is so holy that when it rains, not a drop falls through the hole in the roof. Next to the tomb is a Qur'anic school for boys.
• Behind the tomb, you can climb the slopes of Jebel Totil. On the lower slopes and there are several cafes built into the rock, serving the best coffee in Kassala. There is also the famous well of Totil. If you drink from it, legend has it that you will return to Kassala one day.
• The Gash River runs through Kassala, but for most of the year it is a dry sandy riverbed, used for football training in the evenings. In the rainy season, water cascades down from the Eritrean mountains and charges through the city, making the riverbanks a popular place to walk in the evenings. However and the Gash is a dangerous river, having flooded twice recently (07 and 03) causing huge amounts of damage to the whole city.
• On the other side of the Gash, you reach an area called Sikka Hadiid, which is the old railway quarter. The original train station still stands, all impressive and colonial but abandoned now. Around this are British built round brick huts, which used to house railway workers and is now a popular place for students to live.
• To the south and the Sawagi Janubiyya (southern gardens) is a collection of villages surrounded by mango and guava orchards alongside the Gash.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Kassala

• Climb Totil Mountain for fantastic views of Kassala, and beyond to Wad Sherifei refugee camp and Eritrea. To reach the summit, you need special equipment, but you can get half way easily enough in about half an hour.
• Drink coffee at one of Kassala's hundreds of tea stalls or at a cafe on Totil mountain.
• Take a walk through Sawagi Janubiyya. Cross the Gash bridge and take the road to your left which leads you through the Sawagi villages. After five kilometers or so, you can get alongside the Gash, and if it is dry, you can cross over to the mountains and Khatmiya.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Kassala

Kassala is famous for its Coffee, which is traditionally served in a clay coffee pot called a jebbana. These are sold quite cheaply in Souq an-Niswan, along with wooden mortar and pestles for grinding the beans and ginger, roasting trays, jebbana stands and tiny coffee cups.

Halal Food & Restaurants

Fuul (mashed fava beans) is the main dish found in Kassala, and there are lots of fuul stalls around. The best ones are between the Souq an-Niswaan and Hotel Hipton, where the fuul is mixed with ta'amiya, Cheese, tuna or egg, and topped with sesame oil, garlic and a herb called shumaar.

At-Tabaq as-Souri on the main square is a good place for sandwiches and shawarma. They also serve baklava and other sweets, and is one of the only cafes in Kassala where local women eat.

For more local dishes, like tagaliya and bamiya (both gloopy okra-based sauces) served with ghuraasa (a spongy pancake type bread) or kisra (very thin, slightly sour bread), and various bits of ala Meat (ask for shiyya if you aren't keen on offal), try some of the restaurants in the middle of the souq.

On the road to Khatmiya and the bus passes a livestock market opposite a large cemetery. Here and there are stalls selling sheep, which are slaughtered to order and cooked in the restaurant next door.

Kassala is famous for its coffee (jebbana), spiced with ginger (zinjabil) and cinnamon (girfa') and served in a clay coffee pot, with incense and popcorn on the side. The best place for the full treatment is at one of the cafes on the slopes of Totil mountain. Otherwise, Kassala is full of tea stalls, where coffee is served in smaller coffee pots made from recycled Pif-Paf cans.

• jebbana - Coffee.
• bi dawa thagiil - with lots of ginger and cinnamon.
• bi dawa khafiif - with a little ginger.
• saliiga - without ginger.
• shay - tea.
• shay kerkedeh - pink hibiscus tea.
• shay bi laban - tea with hot milk.
• fawgu jumaada - with lumpy bits of milk (some people do ask for it!).
• shay faransi - literally "French tea", this is actually coffee with milk.

Fruit juices are excellent in Kassala, and made fresh at many stalls in the souq, so you can ask for one without sugar. Mango and guava are the best, but orange tends to be diluted with a lot of water and mixed with bucketloads of sugar, so avoid it. Local juices include aradeeb (a brown tangy juice, similar to tamarind) and sha'iir (made from a white powder and a bit like cold malted milk).

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Kassala

Kassala - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Kassala, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Kassala. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Kassala and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Kassala. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Kassala. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inKassala: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Kassala.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Kassala: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Kassala, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Kassala.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Kassala, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Kassala, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Kassala and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Kassala, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Kassala, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Kassala without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Kassala is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Kassala.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Kassala is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Kassala, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Kassala Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Kassala

eHalal Group Kassala is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Kassala. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Kassala.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Kassala ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Kassala. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Kassala, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Kassala are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Several hotels and guesthouses in Kassala cater to the needs of Muslim travelers, offering prayer facilities and halal dining options. Some recommended lodgings include:

Al Salam Hotel This comfortable hotel provides clean and spacious rooms, a prayer area, and an on-site restaurant serving halal cuisine. Its central location makes it an ideal base for adventuring Kassala.

Al Rawda Guesthouse: A cozy, family-run guesthouse that offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, Al Rawda is known for its friendly staff and delicious home-cooked meals. Prayer facilities are available, and the guesthouse can arrange guided tours of the city and surrounding areas.

News & References Kassala

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