Pilgrim con alert: Don't accept food from strangers

A circular has been issued by the Indian Consulate warning pilgrims not to accept food and drink from strangers.

The circular was disseminated on Facebook and other social media sites following an incident in Makkah, where several Indian pilgrims fainted after drinking a cup of tea offered by a stranger, who then stole their belongings. The circular was issued by the Indian Haj Pilgrims Affairs Office in Makkah.

Speaking to Arab News, Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh, deputy consul general and Haj consul, said: "We have already brought this incident to the attention of Saudi authorities and they have launched an investigation. We issued the circular as a precautionary measure," said Rahman. He said that travel and ritual-related advice is available to pilgrims across multiple locations and in numerous languages.

"It was the first time we have come across such an incident. We issued the circular to raise awareness among pilgrims and to warn pilgrims against walking alone in less populated areas. We have 13 branch offices in Makkah to assist pilgrims who are in need of information," he said

Source : Arabnews.

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Shakir