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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Aina J Khan

‘A nightmare’: British Muslims left stranded by Saudi hajj booking system

Motawif Adam Ali United States Saudi Arabia
Muslim pilgrims praying at the Kaaba.
Earlier this month Saudi Arabia’s ministry of hajj and umrah said pilgrims from Europe, the US and Australia would have to apply through Motawif. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Hundreds of British Muslims who booked travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the hajj pilgrimage have described their anger and frustration at being stranded in the UK despite paying thousands of pounds for flights and hotels through a flawed Saudi government-backed system.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia’s ministry of hajj and umrah announced that pilgrims from Europe, the US and Australia could no longer book hajj packages through travel agencies and would instead have to apply through a lottery system called Motawif.

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