15 November 2007 Hajj travellers urged to do their research
Muslim travellers planning to attend Hajj this year are being advised to research their trip carefully before setting off and beware of "opportunists".
According to the Association of British Hujjaj, the national charity receives thousands of complaints each year from people making the pilgrimage to Mecca who have fallen victim to unscrupulous practices and financial exploitation that leaves many without visas, flights or accommodation.
Hajj is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj publishes an annual list of travel agents approved for the Muslim pilgrimage.
Khalid Pervez, secretary general to the Association of British Hujjaj, said: "Every year, about 125,000 British pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umrah. However, unfortunately the people who cater for these travellers are not well organised or qualified like those from mainstream holidays and travel industry."
According to the Guardian, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is writing to MPs asking them to publicise the risk of scams around Hajj this year to their constituents. Muslim organisations are also highlighting the problems associated with rogue traders around Hajj.
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