The Ministry of Haj has warned Haj pilgrims of unauthorized Haj operators. To prevent pilgrims from being cheated, the ministry has set up a Haj service center in Jeddah and activated a toll free number 8002444480 for callers to check on Haj operators before making a booking. The toll free number service, which started on Monday and will last until the Haj in early December, is operational 16 hours a day. It offers telephone numbers and office locations of Haj operators and their branches in the ritual sites. “The Ministry of Haj has provided us with a program and a list of the companies authorized to serve local pilgrims,” said Ayie Calberon, a service center staffer here. She said fraudulent Haj operators charge more and do not provide the right services. As an added precaution, a website will be launched soon by the Haj service center at AB International Company for local pilgrims to verify the credentials of Haj operators. Also, the ministry will deploy field service groups to work in tandem with the National Tawafa Establishment in Makkah. According to an advisory issued by the ministry, local pilgrims may perform the Haj – alone or with a group – only through a licensed Haj service company. The advisory urges pilgrims to ensure that any agreement concluded with a licensed operator states the facilities guaranteed, especially the space booked in the tents and the transportation arrangements. All pilgrims have to get a Haj permit – the service company can help by providing the necessary documentation, the advisory said. Also, pilgrims are urged to avoid using private vehicles. The advisory warned that those violating the Haj regulations would be penalized. It said a committee has been formed to look into any violations committed by travel agents or Haj operators and recommend appropriate penalties. – SG __
