The Democracy News | The recent tragic deaths of over 1,300 pilgrims during Haj rituals in Saudi Arabia have shed light on the exploitation of desperate Muslims by illegal travel agents and brokers worldwide who seek to fulfill their religious obligations.
As the Muslim world mourns the loss of lives, the deaths during Haj have highlighted the urgent need for increased regulation and oversight of the pilgrimage industry. 83% of the fatalities occurred among pilgrims during the 2024 Haj season (1445 AH), as reported by the authorities of Saudi Arabia.
A senior Saudi official revealed that an estimated 400,000 undocumented individuals attempted to perform Haj this year, evading authorities even when in need of help. Most of the deaths occurred during the Arfat rituals, with pilgrims from various countries such as Egypt, Indonesia, India, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Malaysia, and the US succumbing to extreme weather conditions and stress.
Countries like Pakistan, Senegal, Sudan, and Iraq’s Kurdistan region have also confirmed deaths. The delayed response of the Saudi government to the mass fatalities, particularly among elderly and female pilgrims, has sparked criticism regarding the effectiveness of security measures. Undocumented pilgrims were left to fend for themselves without access to necessary facilities.
Witnesses reported inadequate medical assistance and facilities for Haj pilgrims, with many facing exhaustion due to the harsh conditions. Unscrupulous operators lured pilgrims with promises of cheaper packages, exploiting their desperation.
In response to the tragedy, several countries took action, with Tunisia firing its religious affairs minister, Jordan launching an investigation into illegal Haj routes, and Egypt revoking licenses of companies found to be providing inadequate services to pilgrims.
Saudi authorities refused entry to over 300,000 individuals into Makkah for lacking valid Haj permits, imposing penalties on those transporting unauthorized pilgrims.
