Muslims families have been left out of pocket after a travel agency in Small Heath suddenly closed down
Up to 20 worshippers who were customers of Taha Travel on Whitmore Road in Birmingham have lost substantial amounts of money. The loss in revenue was a result of the Small Heath firm shutting up shop after clients had already booked their trips abroad.
The bookings that members of the Muslim community had made were Hajj packages for July 27th which were sold at approximately £4,300 per person. Many people had been saving for several months, even years for the occasion.
However, those who purchased a pilgrimage travel pack to Mecca, Saudi Arabia were told their trip was cancelled. The cancellation occurred just 24 hours before they were supposed to be flying out of the country. The company director, Jameil Kendawi, informed his customers by text that the issue was to do with their visas, and that he would refund them ‘within 40 days.’
However, since the shop has closed down, ex-customers have not had a penny refunded to their accounts. There remains a shutter on Taha Travel’s old shop premises. The owner’s phone number is now unreachable.
Mohammed Asif Qureshi, 61, paid over £20K for himself, his wife, brother and sister-in-law to participate in the holy pilgrimage. He said: “We got a text saying it was off, that was hard to take. When I broke the news to my wife, she was in tears; she was so upset, it’s not been easy. I never thought this could happen; this is something that is a religious duty.”
Many customers of the Travel Agent cannot afford to re-book their trips to Mecca. Some only booked because they were guaranteed the specific pilgrimage dates they requested. However, it is always encouraged to go to agencies who are ATOL protected.
Manisha Bhanot
