September 11, 2003

M. F. Memon unearths the racket that exploits pilgrims to Makkah

As thousands of people gather in Makkah from all over the world to perform Haj, many narrate stories of mishap and commotion that they face.

In facilitating Haj procedures for Hajis, agents who call themselves group organizers have turned a holy journey into a roaring business. Many agents have reportedly deceived many aspirants, also fleecing them of their money.

As intending pilgrims approach such agents to inquire about the government sponsorship scheme, these agents make them sign application forms without specifying the name of the sponsor. This way it is easier for them to not only earn commission from the sponsor, but also offer money laundering services to legalize the sponsor’s money. Though the government has suspended the sponsorship scheme, these racketeers have diverted their business through the media.

One of the strongest advocates of these agents are the self pronounced ulema, who make under the table deals on free Umrah and Haj, and receive a red-carpet welcome and VIP treatment from both sides. The racketeers also earn handsome amounts for a single visit to Saudi Arabia, supposedly for the purpose of making arrangements for their groups in Ramazan for Umrah, and the forthcoming Haj. Though the government is well-informed about their activities, they don’t seem to take any action for fear of reprisal in the name of religion. As a result, Hajis continue to be fleeced all the time.

The racketeers have also come out in the open with advertisements for Haj packages as newspapers, periodicals, and even websites are full of them since the government’s new Haj scheme was announced. Travel packages for Umrah range from low cost to luxury packages which are available year round.

There are four kinds of Haj-group organizers. A large number of these belong to different sects. They make Haj groups on the basis of their sects like Barelvi, Deobandi, Tohidi and Jafri.From processing Haj application forms, to customs and board and lodging in Saudi Arabia, all those involved make money that runs into lakhs of rupees. Government and incometax officers also earn their share by overlooking customs requirements.

Another type of organizers are those who arrange groups of Hajis on the basis of baraderi (community) and localities. They run quite successfully, especially with Gujrati communities who prefer travelling with their own community. Yet another kind are the travel-tour operators who, with the help of attractive ads, packages and a few travel agents successfully market tours for umrah and holy places and Haj by road or by air.

The procedure for applying for the Haj through the government initially requires a fixed amount of Rs 92,000 to be deposited, and this is followed by a letter of ‘acceptance’. After the government’s process of ballot/draw, the applicant gets a written acceptance of the application, and a contact to visit the Haji camp whereas per government instructions, he/she gets the required vaccinations, and medicines according to his/her own doctor’s prescriptions before travelling to Saudi Arabia.

The government’s authorized bank in the Haji camp then issues some foreign currency to the applicant from the amount deposited, which the group representative holds with the pilgrim’s authority. On return from the pilgrimage, the group representative pays back the remaining amount after making deductions for a ‘Moalim fee’, accommodation, Mina, Arafat, Muzdalfa tent fee, and total transportation charges within Saudi Arabia. Each applicant is also told beforehand that the group has the right to ask for additional amounts e.g. extra charges to be placed near Saitan (Jumrahs) at Mina etc.

Many people report that they ended up paying more than the amount committed to initially. However, some of the well-reputed groups prepare their own income and expense balancesheet, and refund any amount that the Hajis owe. Various sectarian representatives have been known to force the Hajis into paying a handsome amount as a ‘donation’ in the name of their organization in Pakistan.

Some influential maulana also arrange personal gatherings to recite naats (mehfil-i-naat-o-zikar) at secret places of accommodation. Some arrange ziyafat (lunch/dinner parties) for Indian, Bangladeshi, or Saudi guests to emphasize their contacts and authority among their followers. Many such mehfils, however, are strictly forbidden by the Saudi government, and if apprehended, the organizers can get into serious trouble.

The Pakistani government unfortunately does not take the situation seriously. Only superficial inquiries are made by these groups about prior accommodation arrangements and agreements etc. The agents take the situation for granted because only a handful are caught for their fake agreements. Most agents never show the actual amount and proper transfer of money to the Saudi hotels that are booked. Though lowcost travel packages are advertised, the motive behind is mostly money-laundering.

The minimum profit ratio for the organizers is from Rs10,000 to Rs40,000 from a single Haj pilgrim. The normal, economy, VIP, and luxury packages range from Rs70,000 to Rs150,000. Accommodation for a majority of these Haj groups is arranged near the Haram as promised prior to embarking on the journey, but the capacity of the place is never mentioned.

In most cases more than 10 people live in an 8ft x 8ft room on a single floor of 1,200 sqft in a highrise building. There are two to four bath-cum-wash rooms, and only two small kitchens for almost 60 to 75 pilgrims. In such conditions, it becomes difficult for women to observe purdah.

Furthermore, there are only one or two lifts in the buildings with a capacity to hold five to seven people, which results in a long queue of pilgrims waiting for their turn to use the lift. People find it extremely difficult to offer prayers five times a day. During Ramazan and Haj, many unhygienic godowns and laundries are converted into resthouses, without proper supply and arrangements for water, bathrooms, etc.

Though pregnant women, handicapped, physically disabled and patients suffering from fatal diseases, including hepatitis and tuberculosis, are not allowed to perform Haj, a restriction that was emphasized — for the first time in Haj 2003-04 — many private Haj groups openly claim to provide Haj services to such applicants. It is not difficult to get fake ‘medically fit’ certificates, as the agents make underhand deals with doctors to get this restriction out of the way for intending pilgrims.

Previously, governments wanted to provide safe Haj and Umrah packages to pilgrims. But now the racketeers are taking full advantage of the pilgrims’ ignorance of the application procedures. There is no fear of accountability from the government regarding what source the sponsors have sent money to, or where the money came from for booking hotels, accommodation, etc. The racketeers operate very smoothly, by reprising applicants of committing ‘Gunnah-i-Kabira’ (a big sin) in case they change their mind or complain against them.

The state should sincerely investigate into the racket of these Haj group organizers and agents, and put them behind bars. Proper checks and balances should be made to ensure the sources of money coming into the accounts of these Haj group organizers.