Deputy Ambassador Ferej Al-Owedi in meeting with Muslim delegates
25/12/2004 :
The Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Ferej Al-Owedi, recently held several meetings with two representatives of the Islamic community in the United Kingdom to discuss issues that Muslims face during the Hajj. His Excellency met; Mr Khalid Pervez, Secretary General of the Association of British Hujjaj, and Dr Syed Raza Hussain who recently delivered a lecture on Meningitis Awareness in the House of Common.
In the meeting the guest raised issues concerning the Hajj. His Excellency Ferej has assured them that HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Ambassador to the UK and Ireland, is always ready to do whatever he can to help pilgrims and make their journey peaceful and enjoyable. He outlined to them the steps taken by the Saudi government as well as the huge investment made to insure the safety and welfare of all guests of the house of God in the Kingdom. The guests acknowledged the undeniable effort made by the Kingdom and encouraged it to continue its services towards Islam and Muslims.
A special Hajj and Umrah conference was organised in Birmingham to help British pilgrims on their way to Makkah to know what to expect and how to have a safe trip. Religious experts, doctors and health and safety experts were to gather on 6 February, in Bordesley, to try to identify health and safety risks and devise strategies to minimise them. British Muslims have been caught up in recent disasters, including a massive fire and a stampede, which have cost thousands of lives. A spokesman for the Association of British Hujjaj, who were organising the event, said: "Unfortunately, there is an accumulated evidence that British Hujjaj experience significant problems due to ignorance, lack of awareness and the knowledge to perform a safe Hajj in the best possible manner". The association has recently persuaded the government to open a consulate in Makkah which will provide advice and help to British Muslims who need it. Details of this were to be announced at the conference. Chairman Javed Aziz added: "Some 20-30,000 British Muslims travel to Makkah and Madina every year and about half of this number come from Birmingham. In the past they have had no protection or advice if they are injured or even killed during their trip and have not been able to get basic advice on vaccinations". Birmingham Evening Mail , 05.02.00 Black Country Evening Mail , 05.02.00
Birmingham Muslims preparing for pilgrimage this year are being told they must be immunised against potentially-fatal viruses.
The call for more Inoculations comes amid growing concerns over the number of new and deadly tropical diseases coming into Britain as a result of foreign travel.
The Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK, based in Haden Street, Sparkbrook, is launching a Meningitis Awareness Campaign at Al-Hamra Centre, Upper Trinity Street, Bordesley Green on Sunday
General Secretary of the association, Khalid Pervez said: "It has been estimated that more than 40,000 British Muslim pilgrims visit Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umra every year.
"Last year ten British Pilgrims died from a dangerous strain of meningitis after performing the Hajj or being in close contact with someone who had been on pilgrimage," he said.
"To overcome this serious issue, we have joined forces with the NHS to launch this campaign.
"I strongly urge all British pilgrims intending to perform Hajj this year to protect themselves and their families by ensuring their doctors give them the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine which protects against four different strands of meningitis.
"A multi-lingual leaflet highlighting the need of immunisation against meningitis, and advice on other health issues affecting British pilgrims, will be distributed during the meningitis campaign launch."
Pilgrims are now required by the Saudi Arabian government to have a valid certificate against meningitis before they are issued with a visa.
Health Minister Lord Hunt is guest of honour at Sunday's event, which starts at 10.30am. Officials from the Department of Health and GPs will also give presentations on other vital issues on health and safety.
British Hujjaj Association grieved over tragic accident
LONDON : Association of British Hujjaj, UK has expressed its heart felt sorrow and grief over the tragic road accident in Saudi Arabia in which forty pilgrims including thirty-seven Pakistanis were killed.
In a statement here, the General Secretary of the Association, Khalid Pervez expressed condolences with the bereaved families saying the Muslims in Britain and Europe share their sorrow.
It called on the governments of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia not to let the families of the victims alone and extend all out assistance to them.
The National Hajj Awareness Week from 13th to 20th December, 2004, was launched by Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Patron of the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK (ABH) at the House of Lords, London, on 13th December.
The basic aim is to yet again initiate the launch of the awareness campaign against meningitis - both at the national and the international level. The ABH is specifically committed to create awareness in the public regarding health and safety issues- especially amongst those wishing to undertake Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
The launching ceremony was attended by diplomats, community leaders, TV and media journalists including Lord Hunt, former Minister of Health, Ambassador Ferej Alowedi, Deputy Head of Mission, Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Pengiran Haji Yunus, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam, Haji Salim Moosa, Grand Mufti of Albania, representatives from the Syrian and Egyptian embassies.
Muslim World League urged to take appropriate actions to protect the Hajj/Umra pilgrims from hardships and difficulties.
Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK has sent a letter to Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmohsin Al-Turki General secretary Muslim World League at the event of an international conference being held in Makkah by Muslim World League, where over 300 Muslim scholars and academics from all over the world are meeting together to discuss on the crucial issues faced by the Muslim Ummah.
Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK strongly urged the Muslim World League to place the issue of welfare and well being of millions of Hajj/Umrah pilgrims on their conference agenda. Muslim World League should prepare a strategy and recommendations to all its member countries to improve their Hajj/Umra arrangements specifically more emphasis should be given to training and education of every aspect of performing Hajj/Umra and make it compulsory to all the prospective Hajj/Umra pilgrims from their countries.
It is extremely vital that they should take initiative to setup an International Hajj Forum which should address the issues and oversee to improve Hajj/Umra arrangements by the relevant authorities and countries from all over the world
‘Sound planning, religious, health and safety education, full awareness of all aspects of pilgrimage are the fundamental pre-requisites to ensure smooth, safe and total devotional fulfilment. Ignorance and lack of proper training can, in fact have resulted in accidents during the Hajj and Umra in the past, leading to loss of innocent human lives.
Muslim World League should take this issue seriously and take appropriate actions to protect millions of Hajj/Umra pilgrims from hardships, difficulties and to prevent any loss of innocent human lives. They should make every effort to ensure that Hajj/Umra pilgrims from all over the world perform Hajj/Umra in safe and best possible manner in ease and comfort.’
said Khalid Pervez General Secretary Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK
Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK expressed deepest sorrow and sadness on the death of King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in its executive committee meeting held in Birmingham, UK.
Khalid Pervez General secretary of Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK said, ‘We would like to send our deepest condolences to the kingdom and people of Saudi Arabia and we all mourn the death of king Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz. No doubt he was a great king and truly great leader. It is a tremendous loss and tragedy to the Muslim ummah. We will always remember his dedication and commitment to Muslim ummah specifically to facilitate the Hajj arrangements for millions of pilgrims from all over the world. Ummah has greatly appreciated his personal interests and efforts to expand the Harmain-e-Sharifain in Makkah and Madina. He was a true servant of Harmain-e-Sharifain and it is on his credit to double the size of the Haram in Makkah to 3.5 million square feet to accommodate one million pilgrims to allow them to perform Hajj/Umra in comfort and safety and increase the size of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina to facilitate about half a million people to pray in the mosque at a time.
‘We will always remember him in our prayers. May Allah almighty rest his soul in peace’ said, Khalid Pervez.
A couple have won a claim against a Hajj tour Operator and brought about calls for new written contracts for travellers. Ayub Bahadur and wife Zahera went to Hajj in January 2004 for four weeks. However the couple missed their return flight and say they were forced to find £536 for a flight back to the UK. This month Teladia Tours and Travel a Birmingham based company was ordered by Blackburn County Court to pay a total of £1536 back to the couple.
However, Mr Haroon Teladia from the company said he had appealed against the decision. Ayub said, "No proper arrangements were made on the day of our return. We ended up arriving only 10 minutes before the departure time thus missing our flight."
Mr Bahadur of Blackburn said he paid over £5,000 for the trip that all Muslims must make at least once in their lifetime. He understood this to include the flight, accomodation, a Hajj draft, a Hajj visa, Ziyarats (sightseeing) of the holy places and all transportation. Mr Bahadur said he gave a lot of thought and consideration before taking legal action against the company. They went to court as a last resort and plan to give the money to charity.
He said he was glad justice had finally been served. "It was more a point of principle and the need to improve the services for future pilgrims that drove me on. "I hope we can all learn from this and move forward. "The British Hajj Foundation leaflet tells us to go to Trading Standards if we are unhappy with the service we receive. When we went to trading standards they asked for a contract.
"The booking of the Hajj is still largely based on trust but I think operators should have to give everything in writing. Pilgrims should not have to ask for this. "This way both the pilgrim and the operator are protected."
Mr Teladia said, "Nobody else on that visit had any problems. We have been involved in providing an efficient service to pilgrims for many years.
"The Saudi authorities put restrictions on what Tour operators can and cannot do. For instance the authorities take away pilgrim's passports when they go on the Hajj. Hajjis have long been campaigning for greater protection from tour operators. Many pilgrims do not complain out of embarrassment and the notion that because you are travelling on the Hajj you should have to put up with a level of hardship.
Salim Loonat of the UK Hajj Forum said, "When problems arise some tour operators are keen to say it is 'the will of Allah' one must do 'sabar' (be patient)."
Lord Adam Patel who is chariman of the Birtish Hajj Committee said, "I have in the past suggested to the Saudi Authorities that they should make written contracts mandatory. Unfortunately they have not which causes a lot of confusion."
"However, pilgrims must be aware that if they are promised something by a tour operator it can become a binding verbal agreement."
Fears have grown in anticipation of the fast approaching Hajj, when millions are expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia from nations already heavily affected by the bird flu strain including Turkey and Indonesia.
"We have confidence that if Saudi authorities will discover a sporadic human case of bird flu in Makkah during Hajj, then they will take extreme and immediate actions to protect Hajj pilgrims. But we strongly oppose, the idea of Didier Pittet, Director of Infection Control Programme at Geneva's University Hospitals, that Hajj should be called off, as quoted by Reuters" said, Khalid Pervez, General Secretary of Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK.
All necessary precautions have been taken by the Saudi authorities to prevent an outbreak of Avian Flu. The authorities have tightened checks on people coming into the country from land and air entries and also centres in three key cities including Jeddah - a key entry point for pilgrims - have been opened to track down bird flu cases. But experts have warned that a global outbreak of bird flu pandemic is likely inevitable.
Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK (A.B.H.), the only hajj specific organisation in UK, has already raised their concerns to the Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt and Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, about the safety of over 30,000 British Hajj pilgrims, who are travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform this years' Hajj.
The Association has also strongly urged to all British Hajj pilgrims that they should be heedful and take appropriate precautions to minimize their exposure to any health hazards during this year's Hajj.
The Association of British Hujjaj (ABH) is a registered charity and the only Hajj specific national organisation in this country working for the welfare and well-being of British Hajj/Umrah pilgrims. The executive committee of A.B.H is comprised of professionals, including a team of senior doctors who are committed to provide services to noble and humanitarian causes.
British Muslims express their deepest sorrow and sadness at Hajj tragedy.
Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK express its deepest sorrow and sadness at the death of over 400 Hajj Pilgrims in Mina, Saudi Arabia during hajj.
“We would like to send our condolence and deepest sympathies to families, friends and relative of all those deceased pilgrims including to the family of Aamar from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham and of Fiaz Haque from London area. It’s highly regrettable that despite making every efforts by the Saudi Government to facilitate and help over two million Pilgrims to perform a safe Hajj in best possible manners, tragic incidents are still taking place. Its extremely unfortunate and a matter of great concern that substantial losses to innocent human lives during Hajj is occurring almost every year”, said, Khalid Pervez, General Secretary of Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK, the only Hajj Specific National organisation in the United Kingdom.
He continued, “We strongly urge Government of Saudi Arabia and Governments from all over the Muslim World, the lesson should be learnt from this tragedy and prepare a comprehensive plan to protect loss of innocent human lives, specific consideration should be given to the ritual of stoning in Mina area. Spending millions to improve the stoning area by Saudi Government to prevent occurring of tragic accidents have not proven to be successful. ”
It is extremely vital that Muslim Nations should address the real cause of these tragic incidents. They need to change the attitude and behaviour of prospective Hajj Pilgrims by raising their awareness of safety issues. Education & training should be made compulsory for all prospective hajj pilgrims to enable them to perform a safe hajj. Every effort should be made by the Saudi Arabia and the Muslim Nations to reduce the number of pilgrims substantially, who perform hajj each year.
Awareness culture is vital for the safety of Hajj/Umrah pilgrims
A team of Senior British Doctors from Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK [ABH], the only National Hajj Specific Organisation, welcomes the recent initiative taken by the Saudi Ministry of Health, asking their embassies overseas to ensure that all prospective pilgrims must be vaccinated and protected against infectious diseases such as yellow fever, meningitis, polio and influenza before issuing them entry visa.
“However, it has come to our knowledge that some Hajj/Umrah tour operators and travel agents are obtaining visa from the embassy without producing proper certificates against protection of meningitis, or any other infectious diseases, for their clients. As a result a substantial number of pilgrims are travelling without any protection from meningitis. Consequently, these pilgrims and their family members are at a high risk to contract meningitis or other infectious disease. Strict implementation of Saudi Health Ministry's guidelines is, therefore extremely vital to help and protect millions of pilgrims in the Kingdom Saudi Arabia.” said the Doctors in their joint-statement.
They continued, “Every year over 50,000 British Hajj/ Umrah pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, a substantial number of these pilgrims experience significant problems due to ignorance and lack of pre travel Health & Safety education. The tragic death of over 20 returnee Hajj Pilgrims after contracting Meningitis during the Hajj in recent years is a matter of great concern. Over two million people converge in Makkah from all over the world during the Hajj, in such crowded environment the British pilgrims as well are at extra risk of contracting infections diseases including Meningitis . The welfare and wellbeing of British Hajj/Umrah pilgrims, is a high priority, which only can be achieved through pre travel health education and by increasing their awareness of Health & Safety issues. Culture of awareness will also help NHS to make substantial savings in NHS resources by preventing need for hospitalisation of returnees and avoidance of spread of infectious diseases in the community. Therefore we strongly urge, Health Authorities and PCTs to look into their statutory responsibilities to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of British Pilgrims and international travellers from their areas. Every effort should be made to reduce inequalities in health for disadvantaged groups and communities by ensuring that much needed resources are targeted at these community groups.
National Hajj & Umra (Health & Safety) Awareness week launch at House of Lords.
‘It is vital that Hajj pilgrims should get training and education and there should be clear guidelines to enable them to perform a safe Hajj and to help and protect them from hardship and difficulties,’ said Lord Philip Hunt, Minister for Department of Work and Pension. He was speaking at the launch of National Hajj & Umra Awareness week at the House of Lords organised by the Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK, the only Hajj specific national organisation. He also expressed deep sorrow at the death of three pilgrims in the last year hajj, he hoped that the Hajj & Umra awareness program launched by the association would be instrumental in creating awareness among the Hujjaj about safety and health matters. It would also help them understand problems besides being useful in resolving the same.
Lord Nazir Ahmed, patron of the association, declared the awareness week extremely important as well. ‘Lack of awareness and ignorance of pre-travel health and safety education among the British Hajj/Umra pilgrims is a big problem. The Hujjaj also lack planning. They do not make in-time preparations for Hajj and Umra which results in many difficulties for pilgrims. It is wrong to hold Saudi authorities responsible for every issue that arises in these circumstances.’
He added that, ‘On the initiative of the Association of British Hujjaj, the Foreign Office agreed to help British Hajj pilgrims at Makkah during Hajj and I led the first ever British Hajj delegation to Makkah. This Hajj delegation has been serving pilgrims since then. Association of British Hujjaj is doing an excellent job to promote awareness of health and safety issues to ensure welfare and well being of British Hajjis.’
Executive members of the Association, Dr. Syed Raza Hussain and Dr. Rasheed Bhatti briefed those present about the measures that the Association is taking to extend health and safety educational programmes, including prevention from meningitis. They also said that the Association is making every effort to raise awareness of these issues amongst the pilgrims through seminars, conferences and high profile publicity campaigns through press and media, producing and distributing informative literature.
‘It is an honour for our government to provide facilities to the pilgrims of the world,’ said Senior diplomat of Saudi Arabia Hazaah al-Ashar. ‘Soon after the end of one Hajj, we start preparations for the Hajj of next year. The Saudi press, media and other bodies also launch various programmes to make the pilgrims aware about the matters related to Hajj and Umra. These programmes are held in different languages. We welcome suggestions about the arrangements of Hajj.’ He added that the steps taken by the association to help the pilgrims are really praise worthy. Diplomats of Iran, Kuwait and other countries as well as other community dignitaries also spoke on the occasion.
For further information please contact:
Khalid Pervez _ General Secretary Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK
Tel: 0121-440-1700 Email:abh12@btconnect.com
Government Minister Lord Phil Hunt, Lord Nazir Ahmed, Senior Saudi Diplomat Hazzah Al-Ashar, Khalid Pervez (General Secretary) and Executive Members of A.B.H, other Senior Muslim Diplomats at the Launch of Hajj & Umra (Health & Safety) Awareness Week at the House of Lords.
Exploitation and opression of British Hajj travellers must be brought to an end.
The Muslim community in Britain expresses outrage about the treatment of over 50,000 British citizens who travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj & Umrah every year. Many of these travellers experience extreme hardship and mental anguish at the hands of some unscrupulous tour operators and travel agents who through their malpractices exploit them both financially and mentally.
Lord Nazir Ahmed, Lord Phil Hunt (Minister of Health), Dr.Rasheed Bhatti, Khalid Pervez, Dr. Syed Raza Hussain and Sarfaraz Madni launching the ABH petition.
“It is scandalous that some tour operators sell their travel package and then become elusive and abandon the travellers, leaving them out of pocket and unable to arrange their documentation in time for their Hajj journey. Some of the tour operators exploited those affected Hajj pilgrims by charging extortionate prices for Hajj visas that were meant to be free of cost. Also, some travel agents sold travel tickets to Saudi Arabia at premium prices and in some instances nearly doubled the cost. It is an insult to injury that a large number of tour operators do not provide the quality services i.e. accommodation, transport and other amenities during the Hajj period as promised by them in UK” said Khalid Pervez, General Secretary of Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK (ABH).
ABH, the only National Hajj & Umrah specific organisation and registered charity has launched a petition with the help of Lord Phillip Hunt (Health Minister), Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Steve McCabe MP, councillors and community dignitaries at an event organised by the association last week, strongly urging the various government departments to take a robust stance in this situation and to take decisive action (together with the Saudi Authorities) to help eradicate the malpractices and oppression of innocent British citizens.
Lord Ahmed of Rotherham said during his address to the audience at the event, “When you have paid the best price there is no reason why you don’t get the best service and those who don’t provide you that service are criminals and should be prosecuted in this country and banned from Saudi Arabia”.
“I was deeply concerned to hear about the reports of the unscrupulous travel agents and tour operators, I find that totally unacceptable! I can promise to ensure that these matters are discussed with my colleagues in the foreign office and the DTI” said Lord Phillip Hunt.
Steve McCabe (MP Birmingham) assured the community that “Later this year we will be bringing forward a consumer protection and an estate agent regulation bill and that we should now be looking from your experiences, if there is any scope within that legislation to address some of the problems that people have encountered”.
ABH strongly urges the members of community and community organisations to support this petition to make greater impact on the governments to secure and protect the human rights of its citizens. This petition can also be signed online via ABH website.
Khalid Pervez
Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK
Southside Centre
249 Ladypool Road
Birmingham
B12 8LF
Foreign &
Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH From The Minister of State
Dear Mr. Pervez,
Thank you for your letter of 11 January inviting me to a reception for the returnee British Hajj pilgrims on Saturday 3 February in Birmingham.
In your letter you mention the difficulties experienced by British pilgrims due to unscrupulous tour operators and travel agents and to the Hajj visa complications that occurred this year. I am aware of these issues.
Our Ambassador and officials in Saudi Arabia have been in contact with Lord Adam Patel and the Minister of Hajj Dr Fouad bin Abdul Salaam bin Muhammad Al Farsy and are in the process of looking into how to resolve these problems. I will also bring the issue of the regulation of tour operators to the attention of the relevant Ministers in the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Transport.
The Foreign & Commonwealth office has worked hard to try and ensure the safely of British Hajj Pilgrims through the Hajj Advisory Group (HAG).
KIM HOWELLS
(Approved by the Minister and signed in his absence by the Private Secretary, Scott Furssedonn Wood)
Rt Hon Ian McCartney MP MINISTER FOR TRADE. INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS
29th January 2007
Khalid Pervez
Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK
Southside Centre
249 Ladypool Road
Birmingham
B12 8LF
Re: The Association of British Hujjaj UK Reception
Thank you for your letter of 17 January, invitation me to attend the Association's reception for homecoming Hajj pilgrims on 3 February, at AI-Hijrah School, in Birmingham.
You suggested that I might have used the occasion to assure Hajj pilgrims that the Government and law enforcement authorities will tackle unscrupulous travel agents and tour operators who seek to take advantage of pilgrims. I should like to take this opportunity to provide you and the Association with that assurance.
You do not detail the nature of the exploitation you believe some Hajj pilgrims are subjected to, but I take it from your mention of travel agents and tour operators that you believe that pilgrims can be victims of deception as to the services and arrangements on offer. Such practices are already illegal. Some may amount to criminal offences, while others might provide grounds for pilgrims to seek personal redress through the courts, if necessary. This is an issue to which the local authorities, who enforce criminal legislation which might apply in these circumstances, are clearly alert. I note that the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) issued a warning last October and offered advice to pilgrims. LACORS works to coordinate effective enforcement activity across local authorities.
I wholly endorse their advice:
(i) Ensure the company is ATOL bonded so that your money is protected (Air Tour Organiser's Licenses can be checked on the Civil Aviation Authority's web site - www.caa.co.uk
(ii) Do not make a full payment when booking the trip. Find an operator who will accept a deposit and make the final payment when you have written confirmation that the trip is going ahead. Always get receipts for any financial exchanges.
(iii) Make sure you have a clear itinerary in writing.
(iv) Ask the operator to provide confirmation of flight details and that visas are being processed.
(v) Should the package not meet requirements, LACORS advises that pilgrims should take photos, ensure they have written evidence and contact their local trading standards departments as soon as possible after their return.
I would echo the final point. It is important that disappointed pilgrims bring their evidence and complaints to the attention of their local authority trading standards officers as soon as they can. That way, local trends can be identified and enforcement effort directed to where it will be most successful.
My officials have been assured by Birmingham Trading Standards Department that they stand ready to look into and advise on any complaints or concerns which are brought to their attention. They can be contacted on 0121 303 6031.
Please accept my best wishes for a successful event.
House of Lords
Westminster
London SW1A 0PW
Tel; 020 7219 4542
Lord Mohamed Sheikh
Office:
Lygon House
50 London Road
Bromley,
Kent BR1 3RA
Tel: 020 8315 5025
Fax: 020 8460 2118
Email: sheikh@camberfordlaw.com
Mr Khalid Pervez
Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK
Southside Business Centre
249 Ladypool Road
Birmingham
B12 8LF
29th December 2006
Dear Pervez Sahib
Assalamualaikum
Having been to Saudi Arabia on six occasions, I do appreciate the need for helping and guiding the British Hajj and Umra pilgrims and the work you undertake in this respect is indeed commendable.
The Hajj will be completed soon but of course there is a continuous need for the work to be undertaken, on my part I will do all I can to render you support and assistance.
I shall be obliged if you could communicate with me when you are next in London in order that we can meet and discuss matters further.
British overseas travellers warned about health hazards
The Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK (A.B.H) launched its pre-travel health & safety campaign to raise awareness amongst British overseas travellers. Senior doctors from A.B.H expressed their extreme concern about the wide spread ignorance amongst overseas travellers of the necessity of taking Health & Safety precautions before and during their visit. A substantial number of these travellers do not take the vaccinations required, and that they are risking their health by not taking the proper preventative measures against the diseases like Meningitis, Malaria and Hepatitis which are potentially life-threatening.
Many cases of Meningitis, Malaria and Hepatitis have been diagnosed in the UK travellers in recent years and deaths from malaria doubled from 2002 to 2003 amongst these travellers. The senior doctors have warned specifically those who plan to travel during this summer holiday season to Saudi Arabia and South Asian countries i.e. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh to take appropriate precautions to minimise their exposure to health hazards. The lack of sanitation and hygiene facilities in these developing countries is a major cause of concern.
“We strongly urge the travellers to speak to their GP, practice nurse or travel clinic up to eight weeks before travelling to get the best advice on protection”, said the doctors in their joint statement.
The Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK is a charitable National organisation working for the welfare and wellbeing of the British overseas travellers including Hajj &Umrah pilgrims.
British Muslim doctors and community organisations denounce all acts of terrorism
A meeting was held to discuss the recent horrific events that took place in Glasgow airport and London city centre, The Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK a charitable National organisation along with other British Muslim doctors associations including British Muslim Doctors Association UK, Pakistan Medical Society, Birmingham UK, Nishtarian doctors Society UK, King Edward Medical College Alumni Association of the UK (KEMCA UK) strongly condemned these acts of terrorism which are un-Islamic and totally personal act, because Islam preaches peace, harmony, law and respect for all religions and individual.
These events sent a shockwave across the Muslim community throughout the country. There is absolutely no justification for such brutal act of killing or inflicting harm on innocent people. We strongly urge all the law abiding citizens regardless of their ethnic origins, colour and creed that they should extend their full co-operation to Law Enforcement authorities to ensure these atrocious acts do not occur again.
The Community strongly believes that their values must also be protected so they can live in peace and harmony in this multicultural and multi-faith society.
The British Muslim Community highly appreciates the stance taken by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the government during this crisis. We assure the government of our full support in every step they take to achieve the desired objectives.
Exploitation of hajj & Umrah pilgrims – a cause of great concern!
The Hajj visa chaos in recent years and the worse exploitation, oppression of Hajj & Umrah pilgrims by the unscrupulous tour operators/travel agent companies and their associates has caused immense distress, hardship and mental agony to a large number of Hajj & Umrah pilgrims and has sent a shockwave across Muslims throughout the world.
The Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK (A.B.H), the only National Hajj specific organisation in the UK has issued a strong warning to the Muslim Ummah that they might have to face a worse situation when arranging their visit to Makkah to perform Hajj or Umrah in the coming years, unless the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other concerned countries crack down on those corrupt elements who think that rules, regulation, procedure and the law do not apply to them and are responsible for the growing culture of fraudulent, illegal activities, corruption, inhumane and degrading treatment towards pilgrims, which does not have any place in the civilised world.
“It is an insult to injury that a substantial number of tour and travel companies do not provide the quality services i.e. accommodation, transport and other amenities as promised in their packages sold to pilgrims.” said Khalid Pervez, General Secretary of Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK (A.B.H).
He continued, “Hajj is approaching fast and we are extremely concerned that Hajj & Umrah pilgrims will once again be forced to suffer from distress, mental anguish, hardship and exploitations at the hands of criminals (unscrupulous tour operators/travel companies and their associates)”. Therefore, it is vital that the Muslim Ummah joint the forces with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to make every effort to protect the sanctity, respect and dignity of the guests of Allah. A decisive action must be taken to help eradicate the malpractices and oppression of vulnerable and innocent Hajj & Umrah pilgrims.
Rogue travel agents cheat British pilgrims to Mecca
By Arifa Akbar and Nadeem Badshah Published: 02 November 2007
A rising number of British Muslims who pay thousands of pounds to make the annual Haj to Mecca are being cheated by rogue travel companies.
Community leaders are warning travellers to the Haj next month to be vigilant after almost 1,000 British pilgrims were conned out of their savings by travel agents and tour operations last year, more than double the number of complaints in previous years, according to the Association of British Hujjaj UK (ABH).
An investigation by Eastern Eye newspaper found that travellers were sent forged airline tickets for non-existent flights, and some were forced to sleep on the floor of cramped rooms despite having paid for five-star hotels.
Khalid Pervez, the general secretary of ABH, said the problem had escalated as unlicensed tour operators sought to cash in. Mr Pervez has sent a petition with 5,000 signatures to the foreign and home offices, demanding action against rogue agents.
"Tour operators and travel agents want to make money through Haj trips. Normally it is a one-man show working from home, he is not licensed. The majority of people who travel are not very literate, people aged 70-plus, who are not fully aware of their rights. They are very easy targets for leaflets with false promises," he said.
Lord Ahmed, who hosted a Haj Awareness Event at the House of Lords this week focusing on rogue travel agents, highlighted the problem, saying that most of the scams were led by travel agents in the south of England.
"Last year was one of the worst because the demand was bigger than supply. Visas are given free by the Saudi authorities but agents are charging £500 to £700 per visa. When people complain, the agent says 'Haj means struggle. You shouldn't complain or your Haj will be void'. That is complete nonsense. Haj means comfort, worship, being in touch with your creator. It is the minority [of agents]. Most of them are south-based. There must be a zero tolerance towards these illegal, unscrupulous agents. People must report them to the police and Trading Standards," he said.
Up to 25,000 British Muslims are estimated to go to Haj this year. More than 80 per cent of them are aged over 65, and many have saved for many years to meet the cost of the trip.
The Foreign Office has launched a website offering advice to British Muslims. Its guidelines include booking airline tickets through a company which holds an Air Travel Organiser's License (Atol), as well as using a tour operator who has been accredited by the Saudi embassy. The Foreign Office also advised that copies of passports and travel insurance policies should be left with family members in Britain, and receipts for airline tickets obtained from travel agents.
Naheed Kayani, who fell victim to a Haj scam, paid £900 to travel to Mecca with her mother and 22-year- old son with a tour operator approved by the Saudi embassy. She said the trip left her traumatised. "We were promised direct return flights to Jeddah, but a week before travel, we were told we have to pay £1,000 more. When we refused, we were sent by chartered plane to Medina and we had to make our own way to Mecca.
"[The agent] would not give us our plane tickets [to London]. We were stranded in Medina for 18 days. My son is a medical student and didn't get the results he expected because he missed 10 days of lectures," she said.
Qaisar Rizvi, 68, also had a bad experience after travelling with a group of 80 people last year. "[The agent] said it was £2,000 if we wanted to go by British Airways and £1,800 with any other airline. We chose BA. My wife stressed that I am a diabetic, I have asthma, and had a heart bypass. When we got to the airport, it was some Italian airline with a small plane. We got to Jeddah airport. We didn't know where to go, where our luggage was. It was absolute chaos.
"We got to the hotel in Mecca and I haven't seen anywhere more dirty. According to [the agent] it would be a five-star hotel. There was waste all over the place. We used our suitcases as tables. The food was really awful."
Ministers warn Muslim pilgrims over rogue travel agents
Tania Branigan, political correspondent Thursday November 8, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
Ministers are warning the 25,000 British Muslims who will make the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca next month to beware of rogue travel agents, amid concern that conmen are exploiting the religious faithful.
It follows claims that pilgrims had been left without accommodation, visas or flight tickets. In extreme cases, agents simply disappeared with their cash.
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is writing to every MP, urging them to publicise the issue in their constituencies, after Muslim organisations warned of the scam.
"Unfortunately for some pilgrims, what should be the occasion of a lifetime is turning into a nightmare. It's not acceptable and we want to put an end to it," said the consumer minister, Gareth Thomas.
"These conmen think that they are above the law because they exploit people who are either unwilling to complain, don't know how to complain - or simply don't realise that they can complain.
"People must give evidence to the police or trading standards so that we can crackdown on these unscrupulous practices. We want to be able to take more action like the successful case in Leicester, where a boss was fined £20,000 for leaving customers in the lurch."
In April this year a travel agent in the city was prosecuted by trading standards after failing to arrange visas for his customers and, in one case, leaving a traveller without accommodation or transport.
Able-bodied Muslims who can afford the trip have a duty to make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. An estimated 2 million participated last year.
The department for business is launching a publicity drive in the Asian media to make pilgrims aware that they have legal rights under the package travel regulations and may be eligible for compensation if a tour operator has failed to honour its contractual obligations.
They are urging people to use tour operators who are accredited by the Saudi embassy and belong to reputable trade organisations such as ABTA.
They have also warned them to agree details of their travel itinerary in writing before paying for their trip - after some pilgrims found they had paid for five-star hotels but ended up in poor quality accommodation.
Khalid Pervez from the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK warned that rogue agents were causing distress and hardship.
He added: "We unanimously condemn the fraudulent, illegal activities, corruption, inhumane and degrading treatment from the rogue Hajj & Umrah tour operators who think that rules, regulation, procedure and the law do not apply to them.
"All Hajj & Umrah tour operators and travel agents must abide by the law to safeguard vulnerable British Hajj travellers."
JEDDAH, 1 December 2007 — Sheikh Saud Al-Shuraim, an imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, has called upon pilgrims to perform their Haj duties and other rituals in an orderly manner without causing harm or discomfort to fellow pilgrims.
Delivering Friday sermon to the hundreds of thousands of faithful who packed the mosque complex, the imam also urged pilgrims to keep away from activities that would spoil their Haj, such as rivalry and fighting or blocking pathways.
“During his farewell Haj, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed Omar Al-Farouk (may Go be pleased with him) not to cause harm to others while kissing the Black Stone (at the Holy Kaaba). All faithful must follow this instruction and behave nicely and mercifully with other pilgrims while performing their rituals,” Sheikh Shuraim said.
More than 500,000 pilgrims from different parts of the world have already arrived for the Haj, which is scheduled to begin on Dec. 18. Approximately 2.5 million faithful are expected to perform Haj this year.
“Pilgrims should respect the feelings and rights of others. As the Prophet had once said kindness makes things beautiful and its absence discredits them,” Sheikh Shuraim said, insisting that kindness was essential for worship to attain perfection.
The imam also reminded the faithful that Islam does not force Muslims to do something that they cannot do.
“The Prophet used to advise preachers that they should make things easy for people,” he said, but urged those who give religious rulings (fatwas) with this in mind should base their opinions on sound evidence.
The imam was touching on an important point in his keynote address. Many pilgrims, out of ignorance, perform their rituals in a disorderly manner, pushing other pilgrims and not respecting the feelings of others. This again emphasizes the need for enhancing awareness of pilgrims.
The Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) in the United Kingdom, meanwhile, called upon Saudi authorities and Muslim communities across the world that creating an awareness culture among pilgrims was vital to avoid tragedies during Haj.
“They should make education and training programs compulsory for all prospective Haj and Umrah pilgrims to ensure that they all perform the pilgrimage in a safe and best possible manner,” the association said in a statement. Every year about 25,000 British Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj and Umrah.
“Unfortunately there is accumulated evidence that the British pilgrims experience significant problems due to ignorance and lack of awareness,” the statement said.
The association recently organized a Haj camp as part of its efforts to promote awareness among British pilgrims.
From the Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP
Secretary of State for Health
Mr. Khalid Pervez
General Secretary
Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK
Southside Centre
249 Ladypool Road
Birmingham, B12 8LF
Richmond House
79 White Hall
London
SW1A 2NS
27 July 2007
Dear Mr. Pervez,
Thank you very much for your kind letter congratulating me on my appointment as Secretary of State for Health.
It is an privilege-and a dauting one -to take on this great responsibility. But I am delighted to have been given the opportunity by the Prime Minister to build on the reforms put in place by Patricia Hewitt.
Your press release was extremely well judged. Keep up the good work.
