Two men at the forefront of the war on hajj and umrah crooks say their crusade has made them targets of threats and intimidation.
TV host Faizal Sayed and lawyer Fazloodien Abrahams blame people close
to Imam Fasiegh Adams,
a travel agent accused of ripping off two umrah groups to the tune of R1.3 million.
Things have gotten so ugly, says the duo, that they have been labelled “kafirs”, the Arabic word meaning non-believer.
“I started exposing and going to war on hajj crooks with my first episode four years ago,” Faizal explains.
FOREFRONT: Faizel Sayed is helping the umrah fraud victims
“I have become passionate about this because it’s not just money being stolen, it’s dreams.
“Now, it seems we have attracted a group of people actively trying to put us off this matter.”
Both have been getting calls from people known to them, warning them to “drop it or else”.
“I have received continuous calls telling me to back off or I will be exposed. When I asked what "exposed" means, nobody can say. People supporting me are also being threatened or labelled as sleeping with me,” Faizal explains.
He says the last straw was when his recently deceased mother was insulted.
“I am still trying to deal with my mother’s passing five months ago. Someone posted a pic of me by her grave and captioned it: ‘rubbish comes from rubbish’.
UMRAH TRIPS: Fasiegh Adams
“Why are we being oppressed when we’re standing up for others? Yes, we’re being intimidated, but I am not intimidated.
“If anyone has any issues to tackle with me regarding Adams, I have an open invitation on my show to anyone with counter evidence and I am
willing to dedicate an episode to them.”
Abrahams has been representing victims of the two
tour groups - from Strand and Mitchells Plain - whose umrah trips were cancelled on 25 December.
He has also been harassed with calls from a security boss from Mitchells Plain threatening to “air his dirty laundry”.
“He has been calling me. He told me I need to withdraw from the case before he exposes my family history.
“A few years ago my brothers were convicted of culpable homicide, sentenced and served (their time).
CASE: Lawyer Fazloodien Abrahams
“I will continue with my case assisting these victims. I feel
he should stop his course of intimidation.
“If he feels something needs to be done, he must follow the normal course of the law."
A determined Faizel says he won't stop. “I am here for the victims who lost money and the opportunity to see the ka’aba.”
The 18 pilgrims filed criminal charges against Adams.
Cape police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed that a case of fraud was opened.