LONDON: Major Haj associations in the UK and the City of London Police have warned British pilgrims about fraudulent tour operators offering packages to Saudi Arabia, despite an 86 percent drop in year-on-year reporting of cases.
“Haj fraud” typically involves the sale of non-existent packages, while there have been many reports of dodgy travel agents delivering substandard accommodation, as well as other infringements.
The problem has gained significant attention in the UK but it is not specific to one country, with reports of cases from Nigeria, Indonesia and beyond.
With this year’s Haj season starting in late August, the Council of British Hajis (CBHUK) told Arab News that the scale of fraudulent Haj tour operators in the UK is not reflected in the numbers showing a steep decline in people reporting mis-sold trips.
Rashid Mogradia, CBHUK CEO and founder, said the low number of fraud cases being reported stems from “reprisals and threats by unscrupulous agents (and) an element of embarrassment from victims.”
He emphasized the need for UK pilgrims to check that the travel operators they use are registered with the Air Travel Organizer’s Licence (ATOL) scheme.
“There’s still a lot of work to do in educating travelers and pilgrims alike. People don’t often carry out due diligence on a company,” he said.
“We’re seeing more and more companies advertising packages without the correct Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah approval or ATOL licenses. Trading Standards are clamping down on this. CBHUK advises all pilgrims to book only with companies approved by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah, and that hold a valid ATOL license.”
According to a November 2016 CBHUK survey, 47 percent of respondents said they had not checked to see if their Haj tour operator was ATOL-approved, with a further 29 percent not knowing what “ATOL-approved” means.
But there are signs of improvement. Khalid Pervez, general-secretary of the Association of British Hujjaj, told Arab News: “In recent years we’ve had an extensive campaign to address the issue of exploitation of vulnerable Haj pilgrims, and are pleased that with the help of the law-enforcement authorities in the UK, we’ve managed to improve the worsening situation of fraudulent activities by rogue and unscrupulous tour and travel operators.”
The association believes that its “message is getting across to the community to use the services of only ATOL-registered tour and travel operators,” but that there are still cases where even operators with an ATOL license are violating UK law.
The cost of trips to Makkah can be significant during the Haj season. Easy Haj, a UK ATOL-approved company that is rated the No. 1 tour operator on Hajratings.com, said its standard package costs £3,777 ($4,884) per person for a Haj trip.
More expensive, “luxury” packages are available from other operators, although Easy Haj said these do not offer a great deal more than the basic package.
For those still trying to travel for Haj 2017, the City of London Police urges travelers to do their research.
“Don’t book without carrying out some basic check on your travel agency/tour operator,” it said in a statement, referring to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).
“Go online to see if other people have commented on their services and ensure the company is a member of ABTA.”
Perils can await those who do not follow the guidelines, such as one family (whose members wish to remain anonymous) that in 2016 booked a room for four but experienced a very different Haj trip to what they had planned.
“Once we arrived in Makkah, the men and women were separated. Me and my uncle were in a room of seven people with one bathroom; my mum and wife were in a room of six women. After speaking to one of the directors of the company who was present at the hotel, he denied any arrangements that we had with our agent and asked us to get in touch with him,” said a family member.
“The hotel was in a very poor state; the service provided during the two weeks was below expectation and every time we complained about an issue, we were told to walk away and nothing can be done,” he added.
“Our last three days we spent in Madinah. Again we were promised a family room of four, but men and women were separated. We had a room of four while the ladies had a room of six. We had one bathroom that was shared between eight people,” he said.
“We, as Muslims, are advised to be very patient and stay calm during the (Haj) journey, which may be the reason why when people return, they just take this deceit as the norm, but this is fraud on a huge scale. There were a number of arguments with the management by aggrieved travelers; these escalated to threats of physical violence,” he added.
“No doubt a few people I’ve met were very pleased with the service, but most people I speak to in the UK have a story, times where they saw fighting, arguments etc. Although some people may have been happy, they paid approximately £6,000 per person, so for a family of four it’s £24,000. This is a huge amount of money for most of the public, and people spend years saving that money.”
The fightback is ongoing in Birmingham, where a city council spokesperson told Arab News: “Trading Standards officers will visit traders/travel agents to see whether they’re complying with regulations. They’re also working on improving consumers’ awareness of the issue by liaising with local communities (e.g. by visiting mosques).”
The council believes the problem is improving: “From what we know, Haj and Umrah fraud has slightly declined locally and nationally. Consumers are more aware, and tend to check all the paperwork and so on when making their bookings.”
Birmingham City Council points to several high-profile cases that have been successfully convicted in their catchment area in the past year.
Haj fraud: Dodgy travel agents still pose risk to UK pilgrims
Haj fraud: Dodgy travel agents still pose risk to UK pilgrims

From ‘What If?’ to ‘Wow!’ at Ithra children’s festival

- The festival at Ithra offers shared space for children and parents to express curiosity, creativity
DHAHRAN: The inaugural Children’s Festival being held under the theme “What if?” at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture is designed to “inspire imagination, encourage connection, and make space for discovery,” an official told Arab News recently.
Nouf Al-Jama, the head of learning at Ithra, added: “The program invites children to express themselves, engage with their surroundings, and experience culture in new and exciting ways.”

The event, which began on July 7 and runs until July 26 between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m., blends creativity, learning, play and discovery.
The festival features 50 diverse activities including live performances, interactive stations, creative zones, workshops and a book fair, to encourage critical and creative thinking.
FASTFACTS
• The Children’s Festival’s artistic zones invite kids and their families to explore color, motion, and self-expression.
• The five-day Children’s Book Fair runs until July 19 and includes 20 local and international publishing houses.
• South Korea is this year’s guest of honor, offering a window into its culture through stories and illustrations.
The artistic zones invite children and their families to explore color, motion, and self-expression.
One such experience combines rhythm and culinary arts, transforming everyday kitchen utensils into instruments of sound and joy.

“(The festival) gives children the freedom to express themselves and feel heard — whether through painting in the interactive art space, uncovering clues in the museum adventure, or stepping onto the open mic stage,” said Al-Jama.
The sessions have experts from local and regional institutions including the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, Abu Dhabi Children’s Library, House of Wisdom in Sharjah, and King Abdulaziz Public Library.

Parents and guardians are invited to join workshops, engage in conversations with other parents and build memories.
“It is this sense of togetherness, where children and families learn and grow side by side, that makes the festival so special,” Al-Jama added.

With schools closed and summertime in full swing, local children are immersing themselves in the festival.
“The response so far has been incredibly encouraging. From the very first day, we have seen families arriving early and staying for hours, moving from one experience to the next.

“Children have embraced the festival with curiosity and confidence,” she said of the opening week.
Additionally, the five-day Children’s Book Fair at Ithra runs until July 19, and includes 20 local and international publishing houses specializing in literature for children and young adults.
South Korea is this year’s guest of honor, offering a window into its culture through stories and illustrations.
“It is part of Ithra’s ongoing efforts to support the next generation by using culture as a tool for exploration, growth, and shared experience,” Al-Jama said.
From Nigeria to Makkah, sereh finds a home on Saudi tables

- The introduction of sereh to Saudi Arabia is believed to be linked to the Hajj pilgrimage, when people from across the world brought with them their cultural traditions, including food
RIYADH: Sereh, a beloved African dish rooted in Nigerian tradition, has carved out a place for itself in the culinary landscape of Saudi Arabia.
Once popular as a street food in Makkah’s older neighborhoods such as Al-Mansour, Al-Hafayer, and Al-Barno, sereh has grown beyond its origins to reflect a story of migration, cultural exchange, and shared taste.

Traditionally, sereh — also known as tsire or suya — consists of skewered beef seasoned with a bold blend of African spices, then roasted over an open flame. This method creates not only a flavorful dish but an aromatic experience that draws people in.
“Tamiz, or Afghani bread, was also a street food, so they were often enjoyed together,” said Rodwan Fallatah, owner of the African restaurant AfriQ in Riyadh.
FASTFACT
Sereh’s journey from West African street stalls to Saudi dinner tables captures the essence of Makkah’s openness.
“You roast the sereh until it’s hot, and with tamiz nearby, you simply grab some hot bread to enjoy with it.”
The dish originates from the Hausa tribe, an ethnic group with a strong presence in northern Nigeria, southern Niger, and beyond.

“As a proud member of the Hausa tribe, I take great pride in seeing our traditional dish being enjoyed far beyond Hausa land, reaching communities across Africa and even here in Saudi Arabia,” said Zainab Hawsawi, a Saudi writer and businesswoman.
She noted that the typical Hausa kitchen is a treasure trove of rich and diverse flavors, featuring meat dishes like dambu nama, delicately shredded and seasoned dried beef; kilishi, thinly sliced, spiced, and sun-dried meat; and balangu, famous for its juicy, freshly grilled pieces.
“But nothing compares to the explosion of flavors you experience when eating suya, especially as you dip each piece into yaji, the signature blend of spicy suya dipping spices,” she added.
The introduction of sereh to Saudi Arabia is believed to be linked to the Hajj pilgrimage, when people from across the world brought with them their cultural traditions, including food.
Sereh gradually integrated into the local food scene, creating a fusion of flavors that captivated the taste buds of residents.
“I think the logical answer would be migration,” said Fallatah, emphasizing how pilgrims helped introduce the dish into Makkah’s multicultural food scene.
Makkah, long regarded as a cultural crossroads, provided fertile ground for this culinary exchange. As locals encountered new dishes, they began to experiment and adapt.
Originally from Madinah, Fallatah moved to Riyadh in 1997 and opened AfriQ, where he serves sereh among other dishes.
His passion for African cuisine has made his restaurant a popular spot for both locals and visitors.
“The spices are unique, and the preparation of sereh is different. Locals observe and learn, and soon they want to try it themselves,” he explained, noting that demand is especially strong in hotels catering to pilgrims and tourists.
Sereh’s journey from West African street stalls to Saudi dinner tables captures the essence of Makkah’s openness and the Kingdom’s growing embrace of cultural diversity through food.
As it continues to evolve, sereh stands as a flavorful reminder of how Saudi kitchens are becoming more globally inspired — one skewer at a time.
Hungary’s ambassador bids farewell to Saudi Arabia after a decade of diplomacy

- Balazs Selmeci hails Vision 2030 reforms, societal change, stronger bilateral ties
RIYADH: Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Balazs Selmeci bid farewell to the Kingdom as he concluded his decade-long tenure.
Selmeci visited Arab News headquarters in Riyadh on Monday, where he met with Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas.
The envoy said his goals were to strengthen political and diplomatic relations, expand economic ties and promote a positive image of Hungary in Saudi Arabia.

At the same time, Selmeci sought to highlight Saudi Arabia’s changes and opportunities in Hungary, as well as the hospitality and kindness of the Saudi people.
“I believe I achieved good results in both areas, thanks to the support of Saudi institutions, the people and my colleagues at the embassy,” Selmeci told Arab News.
Reflecting on his time in the Kingdom, Selmeci highlighted the significant changes he witnessed over the years. He singled out the closing ceremony of Riyadh Season at King Fahd Stadium as a moment that symbolized Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation.
Saudi society showed commitment to the reforms, leading to a more open and globally connected country.
Balazs Selmeci, Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
He recalled that the stadium was full of men and women together, and Saudi ballet dancers performed on stage — something that would have been unimaginable earlier.
“At that moment, I realized how much Saudi Arabia had changed. I saw many talented Saudis and felt their happiness, both on stage and in the audience,” the envoy said.
Over more than 10 years in Saudi Arabia, Selmeci observed the transformative impact of Vision 2030, including societal reforms and economic diversification.
He added that social reforms — such as involving women in the workforce, increasing their participation across sectors, welcoming international visitors and events, and balancing tradition with modernization — laid the foundation for economic progress.
“Vision 2030 itself required great courage from the leadership and strong support from the Saudi people,” Selmeci said.
From the outset, Saudi society showed commitment to the reforms, leading to a more open and globally connected country, he added.
“These social and ongoing economic reforms have increased Saudi Arabia’s international presence and influence,” Selmeci said.
He added that the reforms have allowed foreigners to better understand the Kingdom and build trust, and that the dedication of both the government and the people provides a strong foundation for success.
Selmeci began his tenure as ambassador on Nov. 14, 2019, presenting his credentials to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Dec. 12, and to King Salman on Jan. 8, 2020.
Before then, he served in Riyadh as deputy head of mission from March 2014 to June 2018, marking more than a decade since he first began working to strengthen Saudi-Hungarian relations.
During his tenure, he oversaw the first-ever bilateral meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers in the Kingdom, as well as the first bilateral meeting between their defense ministers.
Selmeci said that among the economic cooperation projects during his tenure, his favorites were the reestablishment of the Saudi-Hungarian Business Council, the launch of the Saudi-Hungarian Digitalization Cluster and the creation of the first Saudi-Hungarian joint venture in the Kingdom.
He also extended his best wishes to the Saudi people, encouraging them to continue working with determination toward a better life, making the country more prosperous while preserving its traditions and heritage.
Asked what message he would leave for his successor, Selmeci expressed hope that they would build on these achievements and accomplish even greater successes, while creating as many memorable experiences as he did.
He added that his successor could count on the full support of the Saudi leadership, officials, the people, the diplomatic corps and embassy staff.
In his closing remarks, the ambassador said he planned to return to the Kingdom in the future — “even as a simple tourist, to walk in King Salman Park, visit Qiddiya or attend Expo 2030.”
Open call for 12th Red Sea International Conference in Jeddah

- Museums, heritage commissions invite experts to submit proposals for 2026 event
- Grants available to successful bidders
JEDDAH: Experts in the fields of archaeology, history, anthropology, environmental studies and museum curation are being invited to apply to take part in the 2026 edition of the Red Sea International Conference.
The event, which will run from April 9-12, will be held at the Bab Al-Bunt building, which sits within Jeddah’s UNESCO-listed Historic District and is the future home of the Red Sea Museum.
Launched in 2002, the conference is regarded as a key platform for interdisciplinary dialogue on the Red Sea’s historical significance. Previous editions have been held in partnership with the British Museum, University of Southampton, University of Warsaw and University of Crete, among others.
The open call for the 2026 event was issued by Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission and Heritage Commission. Participants will explore a broad range of themes, from ancient maritime trade and the archaeology of coastal cities and ports, to environmental history, underwater heritage and the Red Sea’s legacy as a crossroads of cultures linking Africa, Arabia and the Indian Ocean.
Anyone interested in taking part should submit an abstract, limited to 300 words and written in English, to rsm.info@moc.gov.sa by Oct. 15. Poster proposals are also welcomed and will be reviewed by a scientific committee.
To support broad participation in the conference, the commissions will provide five grants to cover the cost of travel, accommodation and registration to researchers whose papers are accepted.
Priority will be given to applicants from the Red Sea region and developing countries.
By hosting the conference in Jeddah, the commissions aim to bolster Saudi Arabia’s academic and cultural standing, while reaffirming the Red Sea’s enduring significance as a living archive of human history, exchange and civilization.
MWL chief, Uzbek Islamic leader meet in Makkah

- Al-Issa highlighted the center’s vital role in promoting Islamic civilization, addressing misunderstandings, and combating negative stereotypes
- Abdukhalikov, on behalf of Uzbekistan, expressed pride and appreciation for the league’s efforts in the Islamic community and its esteemed international standing
MAKKAH: Secretary-General of the Muslim World League Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa recently received Firdavs Abdukhalikov, president of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, and his delegation in Makkah.
Al-Issa highlighted the center’s vital role in promoting Islamic civilization, addressing misunderstandings, and combating negative stereotypes, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Abdukhalikov, on behalf of Uzbekistan, expressed pride and appreciation for the league’s efforts in the Islamic community and its esteemed international standing.
He also praised Al-Issa’s representation of Muslims during his speech at the UN’s inaugural International Day to Combat Islamophobia, held at the General Assembly’s invitation.
Also in Makkah, Al-Issa met Mohammed Samir Al-Naqshbandi, Iraq’s consul general in Saudi Arabia, who paid a farewell visit at the end of his term.