PUTRAJAYA: Thousands of Malaysians are reportedly stranded in Madinah and Makkah after being deceived by unscrupulous agencies over haj visas, claims a pilgrimage tour company.
The company's manager, Afiz Ayub told Harian Metro that the number of Malaysians stranded in Saudi Arabia far exceeds the 300 reported in the media.
He claimed many more people have fallen prey to agencies offering cheap haj packages priced between RM45,000 and RM60,000 per individual.
Afiz said some stranded pilgrims contacted him for help and expressed confusion and distress over not receiving the promised haj visas and wristbands.
He highlighted that elderly pilgrims were facing health issues and were being prevented by the agency from leaving their hotel rooms to seek medical treatment, fearing detention by Saudi authorities.
"Pilgrims are increasingly stressed, and their family members in Malaysia are reaching out to me for updates, worried about the safety of their relatives after reading media reports."
It was previously reported that 300 prospective haj pilgrims in Makkah were distressed after being brought to the Holy Land with tourist visas instead of haj visas.
This situation was brought to light through a Facebook post in the Umrah DIY Forum, after a social media user shared a friend's plea for help.
Afiz said that flights carrying Malaysian citizens to Makkah for umrah continued daily from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
However, he said Saudi Arabia's Haj and Umrah Ministry had announced that visas for overseas pilgrims would expire after May 15.
He also said that some pilgrims had been in Makkah since Ramadan, waiting for the haj season.
Additionally, 60 pilgrims are stranded in Madinah without the promised haj visas," he said.
"Last Saturday, 15 pilgrims from the Klang Valley, who were supposed to depart for the Holy Land on May 26, were advised to cancel their journey after being issued tourist visas for haj.
"I am disappointed with these irresponsible parties, consisting of businessmen and professionals who exploit tourist visas to deceive pilgrims for excessive profits without considering the risks to others," he said.
Saudi Arabian media reported last Saturday that authorities had detained two Egyptian nationals in Makkah for allegedly producing fake haj visas.
These individuals were reportedly promoting and offering haj visas through social media, including providing illegal accommodation in Makkah and Madinah.