Frustrated travellers told of being denied boarding as airlines had no record of their bookings despite paying thousands of pounds through a Saudi government system.
A last-minute overhaul to Saudi rules meant European Muslims had to book hajj through an official government website called Motawif instead of travel agents, after the kingdom cut down pilgrim numbers from 2.5 million in 2019 to only 1 million this year in response to the Covid pandemic.
Would-be pilgrims are then entered into a lottery that allocates places, but the system has been beset by problems leaving travellers in limbo - and thousands of pounds out of pocket. The late rule, announced in April, meant many who had already arranged their own travel for the hajj are now unable to go and tour operators have been left facing liquidation.
But even those who secured places for the pilgrimage through Motawif have encountered problems. One Muslim from Bradford told The Independent her group of seven was twice turned away from their flight from Manchester airport despite paying £66,500 between them for travel and accommodation through the Saudi system.
"We had no reason to believe we wouldn't get on their flight,” said the woman, who asked not to be named.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 29, 2022 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 29, 2022 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Students arrested as police break up pro-Gaza protests
Officers in New York stormed Columbia University building
Scientists use skull to build face of Neanderthal woman
A 75,000-year-old Neanderthal skeleton found in the foothills of Iraq is believed to have been a woman aged in her mid-forties, according to researchers who pieced her skull back together.
Netanyahu tells Blinken he will not end war on Hamas as part of deal for hostages
Benjamin Netanyahu is said to have told Antony Blinken he would not accept an end to the war in Gaza as part of a potential ceasefire and hostage deal.
Make WhatsApp lobbying more transparent, urge MPS
Reform called for after Cameron’s Greensill Covid messages
Labour fails in bid to unseat Scotland's SNP government
Labour’s attempt to unseat Scotland’s SNP government failed yesterday after the Greens voted against a motion of no confidence in Humza Yousaf’s minority administration.
Conservative mayor points finger at Sunak before polls
High-profile Tory mayor Ben Houchen has lashed out at the state of the Conservative Party under Rishi Sunak as he battles to hold on to his job running Tees Valley.
Can Panesar spin his way into House of Commons?
The ex-England cricketer is an aspiring MP... but a Labour majority could leave him stumped, writes Sean O’Grady
Red Bull design 'supremo' to step down at end of year
Adrian Newey, the design genius who has masterminded Red Bull’s current domination in Formula One, will leave the world champions in early 2025 and “seek new challenges” in the sport.
Throwback Alvarez shapes up for Mexican fight fest
The super-middleweight champion takes on his unbeaten compatriot Jaime Munguia on Cinco de Mayo weekend
Bellingham's muted display saved by menace of Madrid
It’s the sort of image you can see being brought up in the future, maybe even this summer.