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.
This story is from the June 29, 2022 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the June 29, 2022 edition of The Independent.
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