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Birmingham pilgrims 'lose thousands' on cancelled Mecca trips | Birmingham pilgrims 'lose thousands' on cancelled Mecca trips |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Worshippers fear they will lose thousands of pounds after their Hajj pilgrimages to Mecca were cancelled. | Worshippers fear they will lose thousands of pounds after their Hajj pilgrimages to Mecca were cancelled. |
Pilgrims, who each bought packages through travel agent Taha Travel, in Small Heath, Birmingham, said refunds were not received and the shop was closed. | Pilgrims, who each bought packages through travel agent Taha Travel, in Small Heath, Birmingham, said refunds were not received and the shop was closed. |
One woman took 17 years to save for her family's summer trip to Saudi Arabia. | One woman took 17 years to save for her family's summer trip to Saudi Arabia. |
Jameil Kendawi, of Taha Travel, said he was trying to pay back funds. | Jameil Kendawi, of Taha Travel, said he was trying to pay back funds. |
Every year millions of Muslims make the journey to Mecca. | Every year millions of Muslims make the journey to Mecca. |
An investigation by BBC Midlands Today found at least 11 people paid for packages for their families, which were being sold by Taha Travel for up to £4,000 each. | An investigation by BBC Midlands Today found at least 11 people paid for packages for their families, which were being sold by Taha Travel for up to £4,000 each. |
'Disastrous news' | 'Disastrous news' |
It is understood the firm was not Atol protected. | It is understood the firm was not Atol protected. |
Mohammad Asif Qureshi, from Birmingham, said his family's bags were packed until they received the "disastrous" news they were unable to go on their trip. | Mohammad Asif Qureshi, from Birmingham, said his family's bags were packed until they received the "disastrous" news they were unable to go on their trip. |
"My wife is really depressed. It took her about 17 years she was saving," he said. | "My wife is really depressed. It took her about 17 years she was saving," he said. |
"I have never heard before of somebody doing this. I've truly trusted a person. | "I have never heard before of somebody doing this. I've truly trusted a person. |
"I thought how can somebody do this kind of job on a pilgrimage?" | |
Shahnaz Latif said she had been preparing for the trip for five years and the disappointment was "very hard" for the family to deal with. | Shahnaz Latif said she had been preparing for the trip for five years and the disappointment was "very hard" for the family to deal with. |
In September, Mr Kendawi, a director of Taha Travel, spoke to the BBC when he was in Iraq and said he was "let down by the Saudi authorities". | |
The BBC has contacted Mr Kendawi on several further occasions, but he failed to respond to requests for comment. | The BBC has contacted Mr Kendawi on several further occasions, but he failed to respond to requests for comment. |
Rashid Mogradia, the chief executive officer from the council of British Hajjis, said people should look for licensed Hajj organisers to make sure the company had a Ministry of Hajj and Umrah licence accredited by the Saudi Ministry. | Rashid Mogradia, the chief executive officer from the council of British Hajjis, said people should look for licensed Hajj organisers to make sure the company had a Ministry of Hajj and Umrah licence accredited by the Saudi Ministry. |
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. | Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. |
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