Hajj pilgrims urged to report scams Nov 19, 2009

As more than 25,000 British Muslims travel to Mecca for Hajj, the Government is urging pilgrims to know their rights and report scam artists.

In previous years, some Hajj pilgrims have been ripped off by a variety of scams, including paying for a five star hotel but [...]]]> Department for Business, Innovation and Skills:

Hajj pilgrims urged to report scams
Nov 19, 2009

As more than 25,000 British Muslims travel to Mecca for Hajj, the
Government is urging pilgrims to know their rights and report scam
artists.

In previous years, some Hajj pilgrims have been ripped off by a variety of
scams, including paying for a five star hotel but getting substandard
accommodation, or in extreme cases, some agents have disappeared and taken
pilgrims’ money with them.

Consumer Affairs Minister Kevin Brennan said:

“British pilgrims should not suffer in silence if they feel that they have
been ripped off.

We are urging pilgrims to take simple steps to protect themselves, such as
retaining travel documents, taking photos of any substandard
accommodation, and most importantly, reporting any unsatisfactory
experiences to trading standards.

The Government believes that many cases of pilgrims losing out go
unreported – preventing them from getting the help, refunds or
compensation they are entitled to. It is important to recognise that Hajj
pilgrims have the same rights under the Package Travel Regulations as
anyone else booking a package trip”

Pilgrims should be aware of the following:

*when choosing a travel organiser or a particular trip, don’t rely on word
of mouth recommendations and don’t automatically choose the cheapest offer
you see advertised
*check that your package operator holds a current Air Travel Organiser’s
Licence (ATOL). During an economic downturn it is even more important that
you check that your Hajj tour operator is ATOL-registered. This means any
pre-payments are protected and that, if the firm were to go bust – you
will be flown back home
*agree your tour itinerary in writing before parting with any money
*keep documents such as contracts, invoices and letters in a safe place,
as this helps with redress if things go wrong.

Rashid Mogradia, Council of British Hajjis said

“Pilgrims should know that they have rights when booking a pilgrimage
tour, and we encourage them to book throughthe Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of
Hajj approved list of tour operators and furthermore book with ATOL
registeredoperators and to avoid those individuals and rogue tour
providers who only supply mobile telephones and are not genuine registered
businesses.”

Pilgrims who are unhappy with their trip should, as soon as possible,
bring this to the attention of a representative of the travel company. If
you can’t resolve the problem complain to your nearest Local Council
Trading Standards Departments. They can investigate if a firm fails to
honour its responsibilities and can advise on how to seek compensation if
the service pilgrims received was not what was promised.

Many pilgrims will recall the case last year which involved East London
Hajj travel operator Qibla Hajj Kalefa Services. This company defrauded
around 300 Hajj pilgrims disappearing with over half a million pounds of
their money. Following an intensive investigation, Tower Hamlets
Metropolitan Police, along with help from Tower Hamlets Trading Standards,
managed to secure a 6 year jail sentence for fraud for company director
Mohammed Faruk Ahmed.

Any Hajj travel operator who organises nothing or disappears with
pilgrims’ money should be reported to the Police as soon as possible. This
is straight forward fraud.

Notes to Editors:

·  Any firm arranging flights as part of a package must have an ATOL
licence, which ensures that payments are protected if the company goes
bust. After the collapse of Luton-based tour operator Go4 Hajj in 2007,
pilgrims were refunded £270,000 thanks to the firm’s ATOL protection.

·  Pilgrims can check whether their operator has an ATOL on the Civil
Aviation Authority’s website atwww.atol.org.uk using the â  Check an ATOL’
facility or by calling 020 7453 6424.

·  Mohammed Faruk Ahmed, operating under the name of Quibla Hajj Kafela
Services, was sentenced to 6 years at Snaresbrook Crown Court in July 2009
for defrauding hundreds of Hajj pilgrims out of half a million pounds.
Ahmed had accepted large amounts of money and passports from hundreds of
unsuspecting pilgrims before disappearing.

·  Anyone experiencing problems can get advice from their local Trading
Standards Department. Contact details for local offices are available from
Consumer Direct on 08454 04056, atwww.consumerdirect.gov.uk
<http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/>  or from local town halls.

·  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) atwww.fco.gov.uk/hajj offers
practical advice toHajj pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia, including the
latest travel information and health requirements. Before travelling Hajj
pilgrims should check the FCO travel advice and the information on the
website of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in London.

·  The Council of British Hajis (the CBH) is a voluntary organisation
working at grassâ  roots for the welfare of British Pilgrims. The CBH runs
annual pre-Hajj advice seminars and this year ran the country’s first Hajj
vaccination clinic, in partnership with the NHS, to offer mandatory
vaccinations required by Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2009 tel: 0845 833 4145
email:info@the-cbh.org.uk <mailto:%20info@the-cbh.org.uk

to all Hajj Missions & Hajj Travel Agencies

For the 1429H Hajj Season

Assalamu Alikum Wa Rahmat Allah

Based on experience in past Hajj seasons, the Ministry of Hajj is well aware of the problems of lost luggage left behind by pilgrims on their departure from the Kingdom, often because of excess baggage [...]]]> From the Ministry of Hajj, 09/06/2008

to all Hajj Missions & Hajj Travel Agencies

For the 1429H Hajj Season

Assalamu Alikum Wa Rahmat Allah

Based on experience in past Hajj seasons, the Ministry of Hajj is well aware of the problems of lost luggage left behind by pilgrims on their departure from the Kingdom, often because of excess baggage charges.

In an effort to assist pilgrims in recovering their luggage and personal belongings which may be of special value to them, the Ministry of Hajj would like all Hajj Missions and Hajj Travel Agencies to inform all pilgrims of the absolute necessity of fully labelling all their luggage by placing stickers both on the outside and inside of luggage showing the Pilgrim Name, Nationality, Passport Number, Air Carrier and Flight Number.

In addition, the Ministry would like all individuals in Hajj Missions and Hajj Travel Agencies concerned with this issue to understand the importance of giving their full cooperation to the Ministry of Hajj by accepting the luggage of the pilgrims for whom they are responsible.

SLAUGHTERHOUSES

There are two types of slaughterhouses under the Saudi Project for Utilization of Hajj Meat:

Open-door Slaughterhouses:

A. Moaisem 2 Slaughterhouse Hall A. : This is an open slaughterhouse for pilgrims, where each of them can purchase directly and choose his [...]]]> http://www.adahi.org/adahisite/Default.aspx

SLAUGHTERHOUSES

There are two types of slaughterhouses under the Saudi Project for Utilization of Hajj Meat:

Open-door Slaughterhouses:

A. Moaisem 2 Slaughterhouse Hall A. : This is an open slaughterhouse for pilgrims, where each of them can purchase directly and choose his animals for slaughtering. The price of each animal type of the cost of slaughtering, skinning, cleaning and delivery of the animals’ meat to its deserving recipients.

B. Camels and Cows Slaughterhouse: This is an open-door slaughterhouse, where the pilgrim buys the camels and cows he needs directly from the sellers of these animals. SR 150 is charged as a partial contribution towards the cost of  Shari’ah and veterinary-related services, meat processing and transportation to eligible recipients. Actual cost exceeds the amount of this contribution.

C. Modern Slaughterhouse: This is a big achievement for the service of the pilgrims, which God has graced the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to realize in 1420H in a record short time and to the highest standard. It is equipped by ultra modern equipment and machinery needed for discharging the ritual of offering after Shari’ah and heath inspection of the animals before slaughtering. This includes slaughtering, cleaning and chilling in order to be ready for distribution to eligible poor people.

This slaughterhouse consists of four units, with and individual capacity to slaughter a minimum of one hundred thousand heads of sheep. These units are open to pilgrims, where they can directly purchase the sheep heads they need from vendors and to conduct the slaughtering themselves or have it done by professional butchers under their direct supervision or elect to have the slaughtering executed by proxy to the Project. In each of these units, the pilgrim would find two types of sheep offered for sale, with the price of each type displayed at the entrance to the slaughterhouse. He chooses one type for slaughtering. The price per head of sheep includes the cost of the animal and the contribution of the pilgrim towards the cost of Shari’ah and veterinary-related services, as well as the cost of slaughtering, skinning, cleaning and transportation of meat for distribution to the eligible poor.

CLOOSED SLAUGHTERHOUSES EXCLUSIVELY RESERVED FOR SHEEP

These include:

•     Moaisem No 1 .

• Moaisem No 2 Hall B.
• Moaisem No 3

Moaisem 1  implements slaughtering by proxy, where the pilgrim gives authorization to the Project to implement slaughtering of his offering on his behalf.

Access to these slaughterhouses is permitted to representatives of pilgrims, where one permit is granted to a representative of a group of pilgrims consisting of no less than 30 pilgrims to perform the ritual in his name and on behalf of the pilgrims who appointed him as their representative or agent.

Pilgrims interested in benefiting from the facility of slaughtering by proxy that facilitates avoiding the trouble of going in person to these slaughterhouse, especially elderly people, can purchase their coupons from the branches of Al-Rajhi Bank and Al Amoudy Exchange Co. can be found in Makkah Al Mukarramah, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, the Holy Sites, , Jeddah Islamic Seaport, , King Abdul Aziz International Airport and other border points of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

http://www.hajinformation.com/main/n71u06.htm

Because changes to the approval list can take time to come through the system, it is always advisable to check the credentials of the travel agent with your Saudi Arabian [...]]]>

United Kingdom – Approved Umrah Travel Agents

Here are listed travel agents in this country currently approved by the Ministry of Hajj to apply for Umrah visas.

http://www.hajinformation.com/main/n71u06.htm

Because changes to the approval list can take time to come through the system, it is always advisable to check the credentials of the travel agent with your Saudi Arabian Embassy.

• A.R. Travel and Tours Tel: 441274394071
• Abed Travels Ltd Tel: 442073750050
• Ace Point Travel Ltd Tel: 441494535666
• Aff Travel Net Tel: 441582411404
• Afta Tours Tel: 2088136002
• Al Hidaayah Tel: 441217531889
• Al-Ehsan Trust Ltd Tel: 442076313511
• Al-Khaleej Travel Tel: 4474813166
• Al-Noor Travels And Tours Ltd Tel: 441274669995
• Amoun Travel and Tours Ltd Tel: 441714023100
• Crown Travel (Uk) Ltd Tel: 441274544400
• Dome Tours International Ltd Tel: 448451306132
• Easy Travel and Tours Ltd Tel: 442077342555
• El Sawy Travel Ltd Tel: 442075867979
• E-One Travel Tel: 442072477883
• Flight Express Travel Ltd Tel: 442078325620
• Friends Int.Travel Tel: 441616288488
• Gifto Travels Ltd441713800558
• Haj and Umrah Travel Ltd Tel: 4402072861111
• Home and Away Holidays Tel: 441162667778
• Ikb Travel and Tourism Tel: 442077247010
• Karwan Al Madinah Tour Operators Limited Tel: 441422330502
• London Star Travel Ltd Tel: 442086770821
• Midland Travel Tel: 441215541555
• Nabil Hajj and Umrah Services Ltd Tel: 442089237077
• Ocean Map Ltd Tel: 442076313311
• Panama Travel Tel: 441217713616
• Polani Travel Limited Tel: 208520254
• Scottish Travel Centre Tel: 441414235400
• Shan Travel Tel: 442085713181
• Sky Fly Tel: 441274733168
• Sky View Travels Ltd Tel: 442085552533
• Supreme Travel ( Travel Express ) Tel: 442089928804
• United Tourism Ltd Tel: 442073776726
• Yourtravelshop.com Ltd T/A Al Khalid Tours Tel: 441204854130

Dear all,

The CBH has lanched a national campaign to raise awareness for travel vaccine for the coming Hajj season.  In addition to Meningitis you now need a seasonal flu jab and certificates which needs to be administered at least 2 weeks before travel.

For more info please visit the Saudi embassy website at: http://www.mofa.gov.sa/Detail.asp?InNewsItemID=97610

Also visit our website at http://www.the-cbh.org.uk [...]]]> Assalamu alaikum,

Dear all,

The CBH has lanched a national campaign to raise awareness for travel
vaccine for the coming Hajj season.  In addition to Meningitis you now
need a seasonal flu jab and certificates which needs to be administered at
least 2 weeks before travel.

For more info please visit the Saudi embassy website at:
http://www.mofa.gov.sa/Detail.asp?InNewsItemID=97610

Also visit our website at http://www.the-cbh.org.uk to be kept up to date
on developments and for practical health and safety tips and advice.

Please kindly forward the attached poster onto your contacts.

Jazakallahu Khairan
Rashid

–
Rashid Mogradia BSc (Hons.) PRINCE2-P
the Council of British Hajis

t: 0845 833 4145
f: 0845 833 4146
e: info@the-cbh.org.uk
www.the-cbh.org.uk

the CBH…..Working for the welfare of British Pilgrims!