People who cheated 47 pilgrims will be punished, says minister

Algeria’s religious affairs minister Mohamed Aissa said persons involved in cheating 47 Algerian pilgrims will undergo a strict punishment. An investigation is going on and people concerned by the issue are questioned.

“We will announce the investigation results in Algiers. No stranger will interfere in the issue,” the minister told Echorouk.

“The ministry will take strict measures against tour agencies which cheated the Algerian pilgrims. An investigation is conducted. A report was submitted by a follow up commission to the foreign ministry. The government will do its job,” he added.

Speaking about agencies which did not accomplish their task properly, he said hard measures will applied on them. 

“Pilgrims who pay money to get a bottle of water should find it. We can’t ask people to pay money for nothing,” he added.

Asked about pilgrims who spent nights on the street, the minister said the reason is that they did not subscribe in Algeria.

“Because of that, new measures will be taken next year. They should be aware of the necessity of being organized and respecting rules,” he added.

According to organizers in charge of accommodation, food, medical care and lost pilgrims, organization process was improved compared to previous years.

The minister said there was almost no pilgrims with mental illness. “Our medical staff is aware of such cases because they may give a bad image of Algeria.”