Be aware of hajj fraud

Going on Hajj is one of the most spiritual and rewarding experiences in someone’s life. Every year millions of people from around the world travel to Makkah to perform hajj. From the UK alone, there is about 20,000 to 25,000 pilgrims travel every year. This number does not include ‘umrah haj travellers who travel throughout the year. If umra figure is included here, surely this number will be lot higher.

Hajj packages are sold by licensed travel companies who are approved by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and ‘Umra. However, pilgrims should be aware that sometime unlicensed rogue travel companies operate in the community. Their prime target is to exploit potential pilgrims.

Hajj fraud is not an old phenomenon – it is not something that used to happen in the past and does not happen anymore. It happens and it will happen again as long as criminals remain in the society. It is an ugly reality of life. If you open a news paper, you will find, if not here, some parts of the world someone has been victim of hajj fraud. In the last few years, a number of hajj fraud cases reported in the British media. In April 2015, the Police raided Bogus Hajj Mecca pilgrimage firms in Tameside, while in the same year a Bolton man was charged over Hajj holiday fraud.

In response to potential threat of hajj fraud to Muslim community in the UK, the City of London Police launched a national Hajj fraud prevention campaign in 2015. The aim of this campaign was and still is to raise awareness amongst Muslim about hajj fraud and also to facilitate them to report if they are victim of hajj fraud.

How Hajj fraud happens?

There are number of underlining factors work here. These fraudsters whether they are a company or individual, they operate in such disguise; it is very difficult to recognise them that they are not genuine. They are not only present themselves very professionally[in terms of pen and paper] but also in conversation you will notice they often use religious expressions such In Sha Allah [If Good willing], Alhamdulillah [All Praise to be God] and so forth, to prove that they are true practicing Muslim. On the other hand, due to feeling of going on hajj, people become so spiritual; as such they hardly comprehend that a person or a company could cheat them and play with their pure emotion. Unfortunately, the fraudsters take advantage of every situation. It is very difficult for a pilgrim to understand whether this person is genuine or not.

In this context, a little story of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab can be cited here to understand how previous generation applied Islam in their daily life. In one occasion, a certain man was giving evidence before ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab. ‘Umar said to the man, “Bring hither someone who knows you.” So the man brought another person who praised him highly. Then said ‘Umar to the second man, “Are you this man’s nearest neighbour, to know his comings and goings?” “No.” “Have you, then, been his companion on a journey, whereupon he gave evidence of nobility of character?” “No.” Have you perhaps had dealings with him in money matters, wherein he showed himself a man of self -control? “No.” “Then I suspect that you have only seen him in the mosque, murmuring the Qur’an, and now and then lowering and arising his head in prayer.” “That is so.” And turning to the man himself, ‘Umar said, “Go, and bring hither someone who really knows you.”

What do we understand from the above story? It is clear that don’t be fool by fraudsters’ sweet talk. A person may be genuinely a devoted practising Muslim. However, in the first meeting it is not easy to assess a person.

The other technique that the fraudsters use is that they advertise hajj and ‘umrah packages comparatively cheaper. Many people are attracted by such package deals which are inclusive of flights, accommodation, visas – which appear to them very good value for money.

Apart from this, it is also important to recognise that when choosing a travel company, there is a tendency within the community to use word of mouth referral. If you ask someone how did you find out about this travel company? A typical answer is so and so told me about them. Such method of buying packages may be a preferred way; but it is certainly important to check whether the company holds an up to date license to sell hajj and packages.