Travel Agencies and Hajj [Archive]

Lulua

22-12-2002, 23:14

Assalaamu alaikum.

Perhaps we should get priorities and necessities straight.

I mean, there is surely no problem nor sin for people to do things or work for profit. As long as they do so within legal limitations set forth by Allah. And that includes not cheating others, but providing the service or product that they are asking the price for. And to ensure that the price that they are asking for this service or product (whether or not it is for pilgrims or otherwise associated with anything of worship) is within acceptable means of the people to meet.

That said, I would like to mention that I would sincerely doubt that you would find in any country (Saudi Arabia included) any travel agency working solely for the seeking of Allah's pleasure, and providing their service free of charge to those asking for help.

Now, a serious and perhaps devastating problem that has arisen in recent years is the development of fake and false travel agencies providing services for pilgrims. These agencies have been reported to take money from the pilgrims who have contracted them for accomodations as well as food during their stay in the hajj area as well as on their way of travel to and from the hajj arena. But once the pilgrims have embarked on their journey, they come to find that the accomodations are not the level of what they were advertised and paid for, as well as in some cases they were not even given the food and nourishment that they were promised in their package deals, before leaving their origination point. Such fraudulent agencies have been found to be from within Saudi Arabia as well as those of foreign lands.

I suggest that a way to begin ensuring that you do not get caught up with one of these fraudulent companies is to contact the Saudi Embassy in your contry, and ask for recommendations of dependable and reliable travel agencies to help you make a safe and comfortable hajj trip.

As well, ask for documentation from the agency before giving them any money and making any deal, that they are accredited and approved by the Saudi government for such dealings. Once you find such documentation to be real and true, then and only then procede in making a deal with such agencies.

May Allah help us all to find the way that is best.

Lulua.

Tayeb

23-12-2002, 11:16

UK COMMISSION FOR HAJJ AND UMRAH

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu

I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone and that Muhammad is His last and final Messenger

To Proceed:

One of the fundamental obligations upon every Muslim, who is capable, is the duty of performing the journey for Hajj. This journey is often described as ‘a journey of a lifetime’. The experience of Hajj has proved to be a turning point for many a Muslim and leaves a lasting impression of achievement and satisfaction.

The mere prospect of undertaking this noble journey can also be extremely daunting when one hears of the experiences of others.

We at the UK COMMISSION FOR HAJJ AND UMRAH are committed to making your journey as comfortable and rewarding as possible. Our prime objective is to offer a quality Hajj package where inevitable difficulties are kept to a minimum, customer service is kept to a maximum and all this without missing out on the spiritual aspects of the journey.

Hajj can also be physically demanding. Our package is designed with this very factor in mind. Where possible, we have provided facilities to make your visit as comfortable as possible so that you can concentrate on your worship and devote your time to the performance of Hajj.

Please find listed below details of the package on offer. We urge you to compare this package with other, like for like packages. You will find that for the facilities on offer, our price is second to none. Indeed, where possible, our beloved Prophet (PBUH) used to take the least difficult and troublesome path. We believe that our package offers one such path. PLACES ARE LIMITED SO PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISSAPPOINTMENT!

HAJJ DETAILS:

Duration:

1st-18th Dhul Hijjah, thus corresponding to 2nd Feb 2003–18th/19th Feb 2003

This period is divided as follows:

12 nights in Makkah (1st – 13th Dhul Hijjah)

4 nights in Medinah (14th – 17th/18th Dhul Hijjah - additional nights can be arranged upon request)

Transportation:

Company supervised comfortable air-conditioned coaches for our guests.

Water, fruit and beverages will be available with the compliments of the company.

Guide available to direct guests for the duration of the visit.

Accommodation (Hotel brochures available upon request):

Makkah: Al-Mohdar Diamond Hotel (4 Star) - Approx. 70-100metres from the Haram.

Please note that the above hotel is a category ‘A’ four star hotel, fully air-conditioned and is of superb, luxurious standard. We are certain you will enjoy your stay here. It is kept immaculately clean, has lifts servicing all floors and facilitates four guests per room. All guests will have separate comfortable beds and all rooms have a fridge, telephone and attached washing and toilet facilities. Water and fresh fruit will be available for our guests in the foyer of the hotel on a daily basis. These will be delivered to rooms upon request with the compliments of the company.

Madina: Al-Ansar Rowdah Suites (4 Star) – Approx 50 metres from the Prophets Mosque.

Rated 4 star, this hotel offers excellent rooms and facilities and has been designed to provide for a luxurious stay in this beautiful city. With no more than 4 guests per room, all rooms are en-suite, contain a fridge, are air-conditioned and have telephones. It is kept immaculately clean and has lifts servicing all floors. It also has a 24 hour laundry and boasts a commercial centre.

Mina: Mutawef facilities provided as follows:

Air-conditioned and carpeted, separate tents for men and women. No more than 10 guests per tent. Providing fine sleeping bedding, cushion and coverlet for each guest. Continuous clean cool water and fresh fruit will be provided. Guide available to direct and assist guests.

Arafat: Mutawef facilities provided as follows:

Carpeted tents with cool water and fresh fruit provided. Guide available to direct and assist guests.

Additional services:

Our staff will meet and assist at all stations (Jeddah - Makkah - Medinah)

Guests will have access to their rooms during the days of Hajj should the need arise.

All Hajj support services to be provided in co-ordination with the Moallim.

Support provided for all paperwork relating to our guests visit from Heathrow Airport, to the moment they arrive in Saudi Arabia and on to when they leave to return home.

Company contact telephone numbers in Saudi Arabia should the need arise at any point during the performance of Hajj.

Qurbani arranged upon request.

In the interests of health and safety, we do not provide food. If however, any respected guest requires food, this can be arranged upon request.

Hajj education programme in English during the days of hajj. Individual personal questions answered upon request.

Prices and Terms:

Price per person: £1795.00 (including return air fares)

All applicants must complete a separate booking form as fully as possible.

A deposit of £300 per person must accompany the booking form which is non-refundable.

Visa Requirements:

The following also applies and will be requested when we are ready to submit visa applications:

A passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.

[Note – Non European Community (EC) passport holders must have permanent residency and must have entered the UK two months prior to applying. Children who have been endorsed on their parents passports will only be granted a visa if a photo of the child has also been endorsed on the passport by the Passport Office]

4 passport sized photographs.

A completed Hajj application form (which will be sent to you).

A quadrivalent meningitis vaccine protecting against ACWY is required from all pilgrims, with validity not less than three years (Pilgrims must have their immunization at least ten days before travelling).

All non-UK passport holders must have a permanent residency in the UK.

Phone: (freephone) 08000 19 70 59 / (+44) 20 8994 6387

Fax: (freefax) 08000 19 80 59 / (+44) 20 747 9155

Post: freepost HAJJ AND UMRAH

http://www.hajjandumrah.org