The journey of Swedish pilgrims to Makkah is much more organized this year

STOCKHOLM, January 22 (IslamOnline.net) – More than 2000 Swedish Muslims are packing their bags heading for Saudi Arabia to perform the hajj journey, with no nuts to crack this year.

A number of special travel agents and non-profit Islamic call institutions will be responsible for flying the pilgrims to and from the holy city of Makkah, Hassan Moussa, head of the Swedish Imams’ Council, told IslamOnline.net.

Recalling recurrent problems in previous years, he asserted this year’s hajj preparations were much more organized.

Last year some travel agents sold forged flight tickets to Swedish Muslims seeking to travel aboard Macedonian airliners.

“The aircraft did not show up in Stockholm, leaving the passengers waiting in deep anxiety,” Hassan regretted.

Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz personally intervened, sending three aircraft to Stockholm to flying the pilgrims to the Islamic kingdom.

Better

Imam Moussa said Sweden’s Muslims are to join some two million pilgrims from different world countries making the spiritual journey.

Swedish Muslims would be flown aboard two Egyptian aircraft that are well-checked and have a permission to land in Saudi Arabia, he said.

The Muslim activist further added that the pilgrims would be accommodated in hotels near Ka'bah.

He put at 20,000 Swedish cronas (2200 euros) the total hajj journey cost for each pilgrim, adding the sum covers all expenses until the pilgrims are back home.

As for Turkish Muslims in Sweden, their government is responsible for them to Saudi Arabia and back, Moussa said.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj has decided to shun travel agencies that caused last year’s problems, he added.

Hajj begins on the eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah (month for Hajj), the 12th month of the Islamic year, which would fall in the last few days of January this year.

It is one of five pillars of Islam. All Muslims who are physically and financially able are expected to perform the hajj at least once in a lifetime.

Awareness Campaigns

With the advent of the hajj season, leaders of the Muslim community in Sweden championed a campaign in mosques and Islamic schools, hanging ads on travel offers to Saudi Arabia and raising awareness among those who had already decided to make it for the Islamic kingdom.

A well versed scholar will be accompanying the pilgrims in their journey, and mosques already began giving lessons on the rituals.

Booklets in Swedish, English and Arabic are being handed out to them, given that some Swedes have embraced Islam and are seeking to make the spiritual journey.

The Swedish TV covers the travel of the first group of pilgrims – all in white - from Arland Airport.

Further to facilitate the journey, the Saudi Embassy imposes no travel restrictions, issuing visas to all applicants, whether they are Swedes or refugees staying in the country for political or humanitarian reasons.