By TCN News
London: Barely a week after we reported the scam that Hajj tour operators in India, reports of similar scams is coming from the United Kingdom.
According to the Association of British Hujjaj, a substantial number of Hajj pilgrims have been left stranded at the last minute by immoral and illegal practices by unscrupulous Hajj tour and travel operators.
“The stranded pilgrims are very angry, extremely devastated and frustrated as they have been deprived of a once in a life-time opportunity to perform the pilgrimage to Makkah. Many pilgrims likely lost their life-time savings in order to fulfil their desires and wishes and to perform their religious obligations,” the Association said in a statement issued today.
The modus operandi of the travel agents remains the same as in India, they sell their quota in black market for huge amount of money.
The Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK urged the government of Saudi Arabia to look into the plight of vulnerable Hajj/Umrah pilgrims including the elderly, sick and disabled and adopt a zero tolerance policy and to crackdown on those who were responsible for this growing culture of deception and immoral practices in the Hajj/Umrah service provider industry.
Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee of India(CLMC) suggested that Saudi authorities let the individuals apply directly for the visa instead of current rule that they have to apply through authorized travel agents.