Coast leaders ask Supkem to iron out pilgrims' travel concerns over agents

Muslims perform the Eid al-Adha morning prayer around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, on the first day of the holiday marking the end of the hajj pilgrimage, on June 16, 2024. [AFP]

Muslims at the Coast have called for an urgent meeting to address concerns of pilgrims whose plans to travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, are allegedly subjected to harsh conditions.

The Muslims protested alleged exclusion, where pilgrims who pay for packages for travel and stay in Mecca are exposed to harsh conditions, and asked the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) to iron out the hurdles.

Pwani Patriotic Religious Leaders Organisation leader and vocal preacher Sheikh Abu Qatada yesterday led Muslims on Supkem to call a meeting with Hajj agents and various Muslim organisations to ensure pilgrims have smooth travel and stay in Saudi Arabia.

He said pilgrims fully pay fees to Supkem-recognised agents, but they end up suffering abroad, where they sometimes do not get beddings or proper accommodation.

"We urge Supkem to call for an urgent meeting with Hajj agents and Muslim organisations and form a committee to handle issues raised by pilgrims and end the suffering over the years," Qatada said.

Supkem national chairman Hassan Naado has since denied a role in frustrating pilgrims and asked Muslims for restraint, saying that was a religious and not political matter.

He took issue with Hajj agents based at the Coast, blaming them for some of the issues raised by the pilgrims.

Mvita National Parents Association chairman Mr. Ali Hassan Hussein said the Hajj team under Supkem should not favour the rich and should instead treat the matter with fairness and transparency.

"There is a need for transparency and fair treatment. Currently, the rich are being favoured," he argued.

Jemadari Somo said Sukem should bring all parties together and provide a lasting solution to the issue of pilgrimage because Muslims have continued to suffer due to a lack of good arrangements.

"The issue of where the pilgrims sleep has been of great concern. Some lack bedding when they are there, and their stay becomes a nightmare. This problem needs to be sorted out once and for all," he said.

Recently, a Mombasa businessman, Mr. Omar Sheriff, said he suffered when he travelled to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage and called for an end to the situation.

"I suffered a lot while there. This should not happen again," he said.

Muslims are set to go for the pilgrimage in May next year. They were there in June this year.

Meanwhile, Qatada called on MPs to improve allocation of funds for education to ensure all children in the country access education despite their family backgrounds.

"MPs should improve the allocation of funds to the education sector to ensure free education. We want education to be free up to the university level because it is the catalyst for development," he said.

He also took issue with early campaigns, noting that they were undermining development programs in the country.

"We are concerned about the nonstop campaigns being carried out at the expense of development. We want the heated campaigns to stop and allow time for development," he said.

Mr. Hussein urged President Ruto to sustain free education, saying that recent talk about a possible cut of the capitation grant has scared many Kenyans.

"If the government cuts the capitation budget, it will cripple the education sector. We want the president to sustain free education even if it means cutting down the budget for other programs," he said.