Arbaeen Pilgrimage Nightmare Ends: Bahraini Pilgrims Return Home After Unlicensed Agency's Deception

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by H Naser

The holy city of Karbala, usually a place of pilgrimage and spiritual solace, turned into a nightmare for 140 Bahraini pilgrims who found themselves stranded, their passports held hostage by two hotels. The ordeal, which began with the promise of a spiritual journey, was marred by deceit, negligence, and desperation.

The pilgrims had entrusted their travel arrangements to an unlicensed Bahraini travel agency, paying for a pilgrimage trip that promised a comfortable and pious experience. However, the reality was far from the promises made. Cramped buses, dilapidated hotels, and a disappearing organiser left the pilgrims stranded and desperate.

The hotels, owed thousands of dollars by the unlicensed agency, refused to release the pilgrims' passports, leaving them trapped in a foreign land. Their pleas for help echoed in the empty air, their faith tested, and their hope dwindling.

Among them were children, their innocent faces etched with worry, and elderly individuals, their bodies wracked with pain and their medications running low. They were trapped in a labyrinth of despair, their hopes of returning home fading with each passing hour.

Fortunately, the Bahraini Embassy in Iraq stepped in, working tirelessly to secure the release of the stranded pilgrims. The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and relevant authorities played a vital role in highlighting the situation and bringing it to the attention of the authorities.

Ambassador Khalid Al Mansour personally visited the hotels, emphasising the illegality of the passport detention and holding the travel agency responsible for its actions. The Iraqi Ministry of Interior security personnel also intervened, ensuring the safe return of the pilgrims.

Meanwhile, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has taken swift action against the unlicensed travel agency, shutting down its operations and referring the case to the Public Prosecution. The agency was found to be operating without a licence and engaging in illegal tourism activities, including making travel bookings to Iraq without proper authorisation and failing to fulfil its financial obligations to the hotels.

The BTEA has reiterated its commitment to enforcing relevant laws and regulations, urging travellers to engage only with licensed and reputable travel agencies. The authority has warned that any unlicensed entity will be held accountable for violating applicable laws and regulations.

The BTEA's swift action and the Bahraini Embassy's tireless efforts have ensured the safe return of the stranded pilgrims, highlighting the importance of government agencies working together to protect the interests of citizens abroad.

The pilgrims, now finally returning home, are expressing their gratitude for the efforts of the Bahraini Embassy and the Iraqi authorities. The ordeal, while a nightmare, has ended with a glimmer of hope, reminding everyone of the importance of responsible travel planning and the power of collective action in times of crisis.