The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken strict action against 68 Hajuj/Umrah service providing companies for providing inadequate living conditions and violating their legal obligation to the guests of Allah (SWT). The British Muslim community has lauded this step by the Saudi law enforcers to impose heavy fines of SR. 100,000 of these companies. Some service providers have even had their licenses canceled for not providing proper accommodation and services to Hajj/Umrah pilgrims.

The Association of British Hajj/Pilgrims (ABH) called it an “outrageous” act of crime that was committed against the pilgrims who are also the guests of Allah (SWT). The national Hajj and Umrah organization has condemned these service providers who have robbed pilgrims of their money by overcharging them and disillusioning them about what to expect during Hajj and Umrah. The ABH further commented that these miscreants had done wrong with many especially the weak, elderly, ill and handicapped people who had trusted them to provide them with proper services.

It is true that many pilgrims save up their entire lives to be able to go to perform Umrah and especially Hajj, which is an obligatory and much revered holy pilgrimage for Muslims around the world. The Minister of Hajj Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed Al-Hajjar has been praised by the ABH and the organization strongly urges him to take strict action against these culprits and show no tolerance towards them. This will alert the rest of the Hajj/Umrah providers to be more vigilant and not betray the trust of the pilgrims. Thousands of British Muslims visit Saudi Arabia every year for Hajj and Umrah and Saudi government should show concessions towards those who manipulate and cheat their customers. This policy will ensure a peaceful pilgrimage trip and the well being of British Muslims as well as the millions of pilgrims that come to Makkah and Madinah for Hajj/Umrah every year.