Immoral scandal has been reported in the city as a Birmingham based company providing Hajj pilgrimage packages are being told to pay a £22,000 reparation fee to affected customers after they ended up in a hotel which resembled a building site. Many of Educational Hajj & Umrah Limited’s customer base were elderly, and were shown accommodation which has been described by the Birmingham Crown Court as “not far short of a disgrace”.
The business based in Edgbaston has owned up to three charges of engaging in a commercial practice which was misleading and two of failing to provide the consumer information about available insurance. It was reported in ‘The Birmingham Mail’ that the company was also ordered to pay £15,190 costs and was fined £2,400.
Recorder Miles Watkins said: “It is clear from the witness statements I have read that the impact on those affected was significant. The photos that I have observed show a picture of a building site. There is no way that could be described as reasonable.” There has also been awards given for “distress and humiliation” following the customers distress.
The prosecution for the victims has said “This was not a charity. They were being charged huge sums, tens of thousands of pounds.” It is believed that they would have been staying in a high class accommodation with a good standard of facilities, with a mosque in walking distance which would be convenient due to their age and mobility, however this was not to be.
Instead, the victims were taken to a run down, unsatisfactory hotel which lacked air conditioning, which is a necessity when the degree of the climate and the age of the pilgrims are taken into consideration. There have been reports that indicate the plumbing was insufficient and electrical wires were exposed, deeming the hotel a safety hazard.
The hotel has defended themselves by saying a group who stayed at the hotel previously had caused damage and disruption and because of a “communication failure” the hotel had not been given sufficient warning of the arrival of the next group.
A local councillor has said “I hope today’s case and the compensation the company has been ordered to pay reinforces the message that we will continue to investigate and prosecute rogue traders.”
We advise that when booking trips abroad to be extra vigilant for scammers. Do your research on the hotel you are staying at and on the travel company. It is better to be cautious than scammed.
