📷 Image Credits: The Siasat Daily
The tragic deaths of over 1,300 pilgrims during the Haj rituals in Saudi Arabia have brought the illegal travel industry into the spotlight. The proliferation of unlicensed travel agents and brokers exploiting desperate Muslims worldwide seeking to fulfill their religious obligations has been exposed. This year, the number of pilgrims exceeded 1.8 million, according to Saudi authorities, but the deaths during the Haj have revealed the urgent need for better regulation and oversight in the pilgrimage sector.
The majority of the fatalities, including those during the Arfat rituals, were a result of extreme weather conditions, heat, and stress. Countries like Egypt, Indonesia, India, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Malaysia, the US, Pakistan, Senegal, Sudan, and Iraq’s Kurdistan region have confirmed deaths among their pilgrims.
The tragedy has shed light on the illicit practices of unscrupulous operators who entice pilgrims with promises of cheaper packages, exploiting their vulnerability and lack of awareness. Reports indicate that rising economic desperation in countries like Egypt and Jordan has driven individuals to seek unauthorized pilgrimage options due to the exorbitant costs of official packages.
In response to the incident, various countries have taken action, such as Tunisia firing its religious affairs minister and Jordan launching an investigation into illegal Haj routes. Egypt has revoked licenses of companies issuing visas without proper services, emphasizing the need for accountability in the pilgrimage industry.
Despite warnings from Saudi authorities against using unauthorized agents selling Hajj packages, many pilgrims attempted the journey through unofficial channels, leading to tragic outcomes. The lack of awareness about Hajj procedures and the exploitation by inexperienced tour operators have contributed to the fatal consequences of unauthorized pilgrimages.
The tragedy underscores the challenges faced by Saudi authorities in curbing unauthorized pilgrimages and providing adequate care for pilgrims, particularly in extreme weather conditions like those witnessed during this year’s Hajj season. The incident has prompted calls for criminalizing unauthorized pilgrimage practices to prevent future tragedies.
