Hajj 2011 is over. Pilgrims are returning home after performing one of the most fundamental duties as Muslims. Many aspirants of Hajj 2011 who had booked their tickets through private tour operators (PTO’s) unfortunately were deprived of the most important religious obligation. They faced the last minute cancelation and that shattered them. It is a matter of grave concern for every Muslim and someone has to take blame for the inconveniences faced by these people. To avoid recurrence of such mishaps  Hajj authorities, Consumer watch dogs, PTO association  and Law enforcing agencies  should   probe in irregularities. They must take action against a  tour operator who is found guilty of swindling people.
Generally, the concept of Hajj /Umrah pilgrimage denotes “a journey of religious significance”. Who will not like hassle free journey? PTO’s use all sorts of methods to promote their business to lure aspirant pilgrims. It is natural to get swayed by colorful advertising messages and flashy marketing packages – an apt recipe for any biz success: "The right mix of a strong custom made Hajj or Umrah package (business plan),  great affordable price and 24x7 service by an experienced management team,  interactive religious sessions with participation of top officials … .” and  you walk into their parlor . No doubt Islam gives complete freedom to promote and organize any kind of business through advertisements/agreements  but of course not without a sense of responsibility  or in  violation of the code of conduct prescribed for the profession by the law. There can be obscured business tricks even in the religious  tours like , `Hajj'  as a way to amass wealth, people often overlook  this  hard fact and blindly sign  all types of agreements. “Let no one deceive you”, the Holy Scriptures warn us. Local dailies and  editors of Greater Kashmir magazine  regularly publish health alerts and travel advisory ( “Hajj Guidance- Gk opinion 28th Sept)  from experienced people in this regard strongly urging  all pilgrims  to heed the advice contained in this. If all PTO’s had been completely honest with pilgrims, in the first place you would have avoided many difficulties for both yourself and your customers. Despite escalating costs  and difficulties in acquiring visas due to last minute changes in rules some tour operators definitely kept their promises. Despite that we came across complaints  like discriminatory treatment; providing joint accommodation for people paying for twin sharing of rooms; unsavory food , etc etc. The Journey of Hajj does not advocate preferential treatment on the basis of social or administrative status. All are guests of Allah - none of them is inferior to another. The pilgrim’s impression is not based on what happens. It is based on what happened as compared to what they expected. I think people will put up with anything if they are treated honestly. It is the gap between promise and delivery that can drive people angry. And, unfortunately what we experience in today's biz world, when a small entrepreneur grows to a big establishment, the gap sometimes becomes a, `gorge'. Here's what I really worry about: Stop telling the aspirant pilgrims you are the most this or the most that, and either actually do what you say you will or, and just tell people what you can realistically deliver. Although applause has become conventional at the end of all good performances, but the history of registering resentment also dates back to centuries. People share their experience of how great their experience is, and that prompts others to make an arrangement from them. This is the simplest, easiest concept to understand. Things do go wrong sometimes unwittingly, but learning from them is the fastest way to improve. We all understand Judgment can never be passed upon anyone until both sides of the story are heard. And the final judgment is from Him, Allah is the best of judges. May He correct our dealings and forgive us our faults.( Ameen) Everyone makes mistake, but learning from them is the only way to improvement.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST