JEDDAH, 12 February — The Haj Ministry is monitoring the activities of bogus Haj agents who cheat domestic pilgrims with false promises. The ministry has already received reports on the activities of three large unlicensed agents operating in several provinces.
Muhammad Saleh Bantan, undersecretary for Umrah affairs at the Haj Ministry, said he had received a number of complaints from the public about several unlicensed Haj agents who advertise their services at mosques and in other public places.
It was earlier reported that 25 domestic Haj agents, who did not provide services to the pilgrims according to the details specified in their contracts, were punished last year. And the licenses of 32 agents were either cancelled or suspended in the year 2000 because they had failed to provide adequate transport, accommodation and food to their clients.
The undersecretary added that the Commerce Ministry has asked the provincial governorates to take all the necessary steps to close down agents who operate illegally. The ministry has published the names of licensed agents in local newspapers and has distributed booklets giving their details in all governorates through local chambers of commerce and industry.
The ministry has issued licenses to 265 domestic agents in 70 cities, governorates and villages this year and it has chalked out a comprehensive plan to ensure that domestic Haj agents fulfill their contractual obligations.
The most common violation during last year’s Haj season was a refusal by a number of agents to supply promised food and transportation.
Some tents were overcrowded. The subletting of tents to unauthorized agents was another common violation.
The punishment for such violations includes fines ranging between SR10,000 and SR20,000, and the suspension of licenses for several years. Violating agents are also asked to reimburse pilgrims the full cost of their package.
