Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

During Hajj, Muslim men dress alike, in the simplest of white clothes - rich and poor, equal before God.

But poor Muslims say this spirit of equality will be undermined if the rising price of pilgrimage excludes them from their holy city.

Some travel companies have been blamed by British Muslims for the surge in prices, and some have been accused outright of overcharging vulnerable people.

Sean Tipton, of the Association of British Travel Agents, says part of the problem is that many of the companies are unregulated, and ready to squeeze as much revenue as they can out of a market where demand is rising.

Shock horror. Companies in a capitalist society obeying the law of supply and demand, and not ensuring that a certain religious minority with no history in the country can travel cheaply to walk round a rock a few times.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11749511

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

Why doesn't Saudi Arabia and the oil rich Gulf States subsidize the cost of travel and lodging for these Muslims who can't afford the trip.

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

Now you are assuming that they actually care about those who are less well off...

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

It's expensive for British Muslims to leave the UK to travel on the Hajj?

Appalling.

It should be the other way around. Subsidized by the Government . Just one condition: one-way ticket only.

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

and they only give money away during Ramadan

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

Saudi has a lot of oil riches but on a per capita basis it isn't a very rich country, not like the Gulf States. The UAE, Kuwait and Qatar are filthy rich because they have tiny native populations.

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

You also can't underestimate the logistical exercise of getting two million people in one place at once. The Hajj is a massive, massive undertaking for the country. In some ways it's amazing they make it work at all.

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

but it doesn't work, how many get killed each year?

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

Don't anybody say it.

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

I didnt even think it..........until you mentioned it, titter titter.

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

Not really a surprise when one of the things they do is chuck rocks about. :rolleyes:

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

I am shocked, I thought charity was one of 5 pillars of Islam.

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

I know India for one coutry subsidizes Haj travel. Though of course non muslims are not all happy about it.
I find this quote interesting as it reminds us that Haj is only to be done if you can afford to do so.

On ending the subsidy:
"There is no demand for the subsidy. The Haj becomes necessary only if you can afford it - physically as well as financially. If the government wants to end it (the subsidy), I will more than welcome that,"
Maulana Abdul Hamid Nomani, spokesperson of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

I was going to say one is too much. Is that what you had in mind?

Re: Are British Muslims being priced out of Hajj?
 

I've heard there is talk of turning it into a theme park...?