Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK, a Hajj specific National Charity, working for the welfare and wellbeing of British Pilgrims welcomes the conviction of Hajj/Umrah Tour and Travel operator by the Birmingham Crown Court. 

This tour operator was responsible for malpractice, fraudulent activities, and the breach of Package Travel, Holiday, and Tour Regulations 1992.

Mr. Mark Jackson, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said Ahmad booked an all-inclusive package for Mr Noori and his family, which included the promise of four and five star accommodation in Makkah and Medina and a direct flight from Birmingham going out on November 15 and coming back on December 16, 2010. Ahmad charged the family £10,000 for this package.

Mr Jackson said that as the flight date got near Mr Noori became increasingly concerned about the arrangements and he contacted Ahmad about this. Ahmad told Mr Noori that the arrangements had changed and that he would be flying out a day later with a Turkish airline. It was only when Mr Noori and his family got on the plane that they were told about a stopover in Istanbul and that the return flight would be three days later than scheduled.

Mr Jackson said in Mecca the family was put in an “appalling” apartment where the four of them had to sleep in the same room. The food that was provided to them was street food handed in carrier bags.” The verdict of this case will be announced on December 9, 2011 by the Birmingham Crown Court.

The Muslim Community highly commends the action taken by the Birmingham Trading Standards to prosecute this tour and travel operator at the Birmingham Crown Court. This case will help to eradicate the prevalent fraudulent activities that take place each year by some rogue and unscrupulous travel and tour operators involving innocent and vulnerable Hajj/Umrah Pilgrims throughout the UK.

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