Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Saturday, Jul 05, 2025

Saudi Arabia promises to fix hajj booking system as British pilgrims are left without flights and visas

Saudi Arabia promises to fix hajj booking system as British pilgrims are left without flights and visas

Earlier this month and with just four weeks before the start of hajj, Saudi Arabia launched a new portal to automate and streamline hajj, an Islamic pilgrimage Muslims undertake once in their lives.

Saudi Arabia has promised to secure alternative flights for pilgrims journeying to hajj this year after technical issues on its new travel portal disrupted many people's plans.

British Muslims have told Sky News they have paid thousands of pounds for hajj packages but been left without flights or visas.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said it is "working to secure alternative flights and additional seats for pilgrims wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia from Britain, the United State of America and European countries".

It added it is also "also ensuring the immediate issuance of visas to enter the Kingdom. The Ministry is in regular contact with those affected by the limited seating capacity and the technical difficulties experienced by pilgrims using the electronic portal."

Earlier this month and with just four weeks before the start of hajj, Saudi Arabia launched the new portal, Motawif, to automate and streamline the pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims must undertake at least once in their lives.

The portal cuts out UK-based travel operators who typically organised the trip for around 25,000 pilgrims a year.

Fraud allegations


The Saudis had long-complained of fraud in the UK hajj travel industry, which has a history of illegitimate agents running away with thousands of pounds of pilgrims' money, and warned that an automated system would help tackle fraud and make the pilgrimage more accessible.

But many of those using the portal have told Sky News they feel like guinea pigs in the pilot scheme and that the absence of UK-based tour operators leaves them feeling exposed.

Momina Khatun, who is due to travel on Sunday, said Abdel Rehman Helbawi, a Wembley-based tour operator, is still offering pilgrims vital assistance.

"We've had so much help from him. He's held webinars with tips about what to do and where to go. It's really helped prepare us and make sure we're ready for this," she told Sky News.

Mr Helbawi's Dome Tours, a licensed hajj operator, has been running hajj travel packages for more than 20 years. Ms Khatun said the company's expertise is crucial to maintaining pilgrim confidence before such an important journey.

One couple told Sky News the stress of waiting around for Motawif updates was too much so they abandoned their plans and went on holiday to Egypt instead.

Another pilgrim said her flight dates had changed by a week which means she will lose seven days of her intended time in Saudi Arabia.

Support groups


Some have set up their own WhatsApp groups to support each other and to share complaints procedures, swap hotel rooms and there are even offers of spare rooms by people living close to airports for those who have their flights cancelled.

Saudi Arabia says the urgent package of solutions aims to ensure that every pilgrim has the opportunity to perform hajj and visit the holy sites. It has promised to follow up with travellers to ensure care services are provided.

Many of the WhatsApp groups are now showing messages indicating the problems are on their way to being resolved quickly.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Germany Seeks Taliban Deal to Deport Afghan Migrants
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Qatar Airways Clears Backlog of Passengers Following Missile Threats
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
×