Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL) – Three travel operators in The Gambia have taken legal action against the Ministry of Lands and Regional Government, the National Hajj Commission, and the Ministry of Justice. Musdalifa Travels and Tours, American Hajj, Umrah and Travel Agency, and Jatamang Travel and Tours are contesting their exclusion from providing services for the 2024 hajj pilgrimage.

Represented by Lawyer Isatou K Jallow-Suwareh, the applicants are seeking a court order to overturn the decision made by the Government of The Gambia, which was announced through the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs on 27 September 2023. This decision effectively barred the three operators from participating in the 2024 hajj services.

The case, brought before Justice Ayoola of the High Court, saw state counsel Sohna Jawara representing the Ministry of Lands and Religious Affairs, the Hajj Commission, and the Ministry of Justice. The matter has been adjourned to 22 May.

Last September, the Ministry of Religious Affairs approved 13 travel operators to handle the transportation of pilgrims to and from Saudi Arabia for the 2024 pilgrimage, excluding the three plaintiffs. The Ministry cited the limited quota allocated to the country and announced that Gambia International Airlines and private operators licensed by the Hajj Commission for the 2023 hajj would be retained for the same services for the 2024 hajj.

The Ministry advised intending pilgrims and their representatives to engage only with travel agencies licensed by the Ministry, further complicating the situation for the excluded operators.