A Twitter account that regularly publishes updates on issues related to the two holy mosques in Saudi Arabia has revealed details of a government portal where travelers from selected countries, including the United Kingdom, can express their interest before being randomly selected to travel. The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. The new gateway cuts off UK-based agents, who typically organize the trip for around 25,000 British Muslims each year. Companies that have customers with existing bookings will be required by the Travel Package Regulations to return the money to their customers. Hajj travel agent and guide Abu Sayed Ansarey described the situation as a “nightmare” and said it threatened to wipe out the 17 175m industry. “This is our income and there are many agents surviving on it. We are also contributing to the British economy,” he told Sky News as he revealed that he was facing a return of almost 0 280,000 in refunds. Mr Ansarey explained that many of his customers were reluctant to send money abroad without adequate protection. “I told them they could get their money back, but they say it’s not for the money, they want to go on a hajj with someone they know. “They want to go the way their predecessors went, with drivers like me.” Image: Pilgrims on their way to Mecca As Sky News prepared to film with Mr. Ansarey, he received a call from a concerned customer who expressed concerns about protecting consumers with the new system. “I’m heard that it is not protected by ATOL,” said the customer, referring to the UK’s Vacation Package system. “I do not want to book using this portal.” Yasmin Qureshi, chairwoman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hajj and Umrah, says she has warned the Saudi government that their packages do not comply with UK travel regulations. “I have written to the Ministry about the entire development of the portal,” he told Sky News. “If something goes wrong, what is the absolute return for the pilgrim? In the old system, you had protected ATOL packages, so if something went wrong, we had compensation.” Image: The Great Mosque of Mecca was almost empty of worshipers in 2020 The Saudi government has not made any public announcement to confirm or deny the reports, but the portal, called Motawif, is operational. When Sky News contacted the company, it confirmed that the system was designed to tackle fraud and make Hadj more accessible. On its website, it states that it is the first portal in the industry that has revolutionized the booking process directly to the consumer. The travel industry in the UK has a history of fraud, with some illegal operators disappearing for thousands of pounds from pilgrims’ money. One person who spoke to Sky News on condition of anonymity said he supported the idea of a universal system for hajj packages, but that his availability just a month before the pilgrimage left his family disappointed. “My wife wanted to leave for many years and we waited for the pandemic to open and then we closed it immediately. My children were stingy and saved for it,” he said. “It is a non-refundable deposit and we are going to lose 000 6,000. But my real objection is that it is so late to make this announcement and we have not been told anything yet. Image: Muslim pilgrims take the last walk around the Kaaba in 2019 “If it was my choice, I would not enter the lottery this year because I would like to see how it works before sending such a large amount of money internationally. It is not nice to be a guinea pig.” The Civil Aviation Authority recommends travel insurance and the use of appropriate credit cards where possible.
