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Barakah Hajj & Umrah Hot

Hajj & Umrah Groups (United States) Illinois

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Group Name: Barakah Hajj & Umrah

Country: United States

Website: http://www.barakahhajj.com

Email (Group's): This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Street Address 1 (Group's): 1 S 085 Summit Avenue

City: Oakbrook Terrace

State [US Only]: Illinois

Zip Code: 60181

Phone # (Group's): (630) 629-1818

Fax Number: (630) 600-4677

User reviews

Average user rating from: 14 user(s)


Overall rating		2.9
Organization		2.8
Professionalism		2.8
Honesty		2.8
Communication		2.7
Accommodations		3.2
Transportation		3.2

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Professionalism		(Remember; 1 is poor; 5 is excellent)
Honesty		(Remember; 1 is poor; 5 is excellent)
Communication		(Remember; 1 is poor; 5 is excellent)
Accommodations		(Remember; 1 is poor; 5 is excellent)
Transportation		(Remember; 1 is poor; 5 is excellent)

Hajj & Umrah Group Review

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Overall rating		1.5
Organization		1.0
Professionalism		1.0
Honesty		1.0
Communication		1.0
Accommodations		2.0
Transportation		3.0

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Dr. Fraud (aka Dr Riaz)

Written by SHIRAZEE Thursday, 03 June 2010

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Hajj & Umrah Group Review

Was this a Hajj or Umrah?: Hajj

What year did you go?: 2009

Who was the Scholar/Shaikh/Imam of your Group?: Dr Riaz/ Jordinian College Student with temper issues (pretending as Scholar)

Pros (postive comments)(if you comment on the hotel please mention the name): Become his volunteer or Agent and you will get a proper service or a room in the hotel otherwise get ready to spend nights on the streets.Its a 100% Rip Off by a disorganised Physician Leader, running it for Money.

Cons (negative comments)(if you comment on the hotel please mention the name): I request to everyone not even to recommend this group to your enemies.He wasted our money, time and purpose of the Hajj.Being a Physician, I blindly trusted him and paid premium price for Package A.His attitude changed right after he cashed my check.He changed my dates and city of departure 3 times.He IS NOT ONLY DISORGANISED BUT FORGET FUL ALSO.HE could not remember from where I am supposed to leave.This man run a show from his house with a laptop (in his downtime).He is always confused and forgetful.Never look into the info you submit to him in the initial application.He threatened me multiple times before the departure, to leave me behind (without refund of the money), if I didn't leave from the city he wanted.Just imagine you have taken time off from your work, you have told all of your colleagues,friends and extended family members and then this Thug leaves you behind.I requested departure from JFK/NY on 19th. I live and work in DC.I bought domestic airline ticket at my own (from DC to JFK) and took off from work accordingly.Then on 15th he tells me that I have to leave on 17th from JFK OTHERWISE U CAN'T MAKE TO THE HAJJ.Just imagine how hard its for the Physician to arrange for his replacement at work because patients are already scheduled to see u 2-4 weeks in advance.Anyway, I changed all of my schedule/ticket other plans and cancelled last minute dinners with extended family members and made myself available for departure on 17th.While I was at the Airport in DC to board the plane, I get call from DR.Fraud that my flight is from Chicago instead of JFK AND HE wants me to get to OHARE before 5pm otherwise I will miss my flight and no more Hajj for this year ( and no money will be returned because he had already paid to travel agents and hotels....His this claim turned out to be false also because when we got to madinah, there was no booking for the hotels also.This was one of the lies out of other thousand lies). It cost me 800$ to buy a last minute ticket from DC to Chicago.This is just the begining.I made to OHARE Airport before 3pm and wasted my ticket to NY.He gave me over the phone my flight and ticket number for Jordanian Airline from Chicago.Guess What, When I got to the counter of Jordanian Airline (after spending 800$ from my pocket)I WAS TOLD BY THE AGENT THAT THERE IS NO RESERVATION UNDER MY NAME.Just imagine the level of frustration at that time.Some of my friends and family members were waiting at JFK, to see me off for Hajj and I am in Chicago and have no KNOWLEDGE that even I will be able to perform Hajj or not.You can't feel what I was going through until you are put into the same situation.Just imagine how awkward is to cancel last minute meetings and dinners with your family and friends especially when you are leaving for HAJJ but this man deals with you like a Gangster and completely controls you because he catches you in completely helpless situation.And guess what, in that situation DR Fraud is no where to be found.He don't pick up his cell and there is no body else to contact And mine is Package A/Deluxe.You can read other Horror stories of his group victims also.

Anyway, long story short, somehow I made to Madinah and met with few other group members in Madinah.There was no one to receive us.Neither Dr nor his Sheikh.When we got to the Hotel, we were told our reservation starts after 24 hrs because we are day early (Dr Fraud was trying to save money at every step).One kid who was carrying his Banner in the hotel lobby offered another hotel for a night at the cost of 300$ for one night otherwise streets are open to stay.Sleeping on the streets was not an issue but we needed to use the rest room and wash ourself and pray, that we were here for.So his agent dumps us in a remote 2 star hotel after 6 hour wait.Now we have no stamina to get up and pray.This story goes on.I can write a book telling you the problems we have to go through at every step while with his group.Cheating, Lies, Broken promises,Cheap tricks to save money, Giving false hopes and efforts to make your Hajj miserable (AND TAKING SPIRITUALITY OUT OF HAJJ) is motto of this group. Please stay away from the Cheaters and tell your friends also to invesigate any group thoroughly before handing your money to them.

No doubt Hajj is a tough ritual but things which hurt you the most, is Constant Lies and Disinformation.This takes away spirituality out of the HAJJ.May Allah give some guidance to these group owners and change their hearts.

If you know any group which is really good please let me know its name as I would like to go again this year.email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Would you recommend it?: No

Are you the owner/employee/afflliated/related to this Hajj Group?: No


Overall rating		1.3
Organization		1.0
Professionalism		1.0
Honesty		1.0
Communication		1.0
Accommodations		1.0
Transportation		3.0

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world's bigest Fraud is Barakah Hajj

Written by mhm Tuesday, 02 February 2010

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Hajj & Umrah Group Review

Was this a Hajj or Umrah?: Hajj

What year did you go?: 2009

Who was the Scholar/Shaikh/Imam of your Group?: Dr. Riaz ( name should be Dr. Fraudi)

Pros (postive comments)(if you comment on the hotel please mention the name): transpotation was fine.

Cons (negative comments)(if you comment on the hotel please mention the name): He was very nice before deposting the check amount. once he had the money, he will not pick up the phone number. He promised Hotel for 3 nights in Madinah to Group A and B but most of us were in the street of Madinah till 3 AM and Dr. Riaz Akhtar was sleeping in his comfertable bed. Others have given there review before and they are very simialar to mine. basically he did not bring any of his promises. small issues could be with any one thats why I am not wining about it. Like one of the Hajji mentioned that people gave bad review to the group for small things thats not true. this person is probably from his family friends or some one from group C or E. They got what they paid for it. but for the group A and B did not get any thing what they promised. bad left over food at Mina, many of us were sick. When we had no hotel in Madinah, Dr. Riaz was no where to be found. He keep telling every one to do subr(be patient). I jus could not believe one Doctor could do this kind of Human crime. most of us were doctors and that's why without checking this frauds info I and others trusted him. After we came back from Hajj I went online and found some many of Hajjies had same experience with him except his buddy friends or people from Group c and E which is cheaper group. People who r giving him good review please fear from All (s.w.t) some one gave 2 sheikhs names in one of the review. infact there were no 2 sheikhs. There was young Jordanian American student as a sheikh. I will ask others to contact me from the Nov 2009 group. I am collecting mor data for legal action to protect our innocent brothers and sisters. It is our obligation to protect as many as possible from this thug. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Would you recommend it?: No

Are you the owner/employee/afflliated/related to this Hajj Group?: No


Overall rating		1.0
Organization		1.0
Professionalism		1.0
Honesty		1.0
Communication		1.0
Accommodations		1.0
Transportation		1.0

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Please Contact Me Regarding Your Experience this P

Written by Kamran Saturday, 23 January 2010

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Hajj & Umrah Group Review

Was this a Hajj or Umrah?: Hajj

What year did you go?: 2009

Who was the Scholar/Shaikh/Imam of your Group?: Riaz

Pros (postive comments)(if you comment on the hotel please mention the name): To Whom it May Concern:

If you utilized the services of Barakah Hajj & Umrah, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; I am trying to gather information from as many aggrieved individuals as possible in hopes of remedying this disastrous situation for those affected and to prevent this from happening to future hajjis.

Please contact me with details ASAP.

Cons (negative comments)(if you comment on the hotel please mention the name): To Whom it May Concern:

If you utilized the services of Barakah Hajj & Umrah, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; I am trying to gather information from as many aggrieved individuals as possible in hopes of remedying this disastrous situation for those affected and to prevent this from happening to future hajjis.

Please contact me with details ASAP.

Would you recommend it?: No

Are you the owner/employee/afflliated/related to this Hajj Group?: No


Overall rating		1.0
Organization		1.0
Professionalism		1.0
Honesty		1.0
Communication		1.0
Accommodations		1.0
Transportation		1.0

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Barakah Hajj is Human violations.Please, stay away

Written by Mrs.M Friday, 25 December 2009

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

Hajj & Umrah Group Review

Was this a Hajj or Umrah?: Hajj

What year did you go?: 2009

Who was the Scholar/Shaikh/Imam of your Group?: None

Pros (postive comments)(if you comment on the hotel please mention the name): NONe

Cons (negative comments)(if you comment on the hotel please mention the name): World Human rights day against Human violations is December 10th, 2009 and I feel extremely sad to write this review about Barakah Hajj's performance owned by Dr.Riaz Akhtar from Chicago, Illinois USA. which is an open human rights violations.

I saw a dream through out my life to go to Hajj and perform Hajj peacefully, I waited for that day for a long time. I saved my money for this occasion.

One of my family friend's friend recommended Barakah Hajj and I didn't even search reviews , because in my innocent mind I trusted Dr.Riaz Akhtar blindly because I can not even imagine even in my wildest dreams that anyone could even do such devilish deeds as Dr.Riaz Akhtar do to loot and plunder money in the name of hajj. I understand that this world is full of thugs and corrupt people, but, Hajj was my last hope which is gone with what I experienced at the hands of Dr. Riaz Akhtar during Hajj days.

First of all when everything was done, money was given till then Dr.Riaz Akhtar was nicey nice with all those false promises and false packages. And then I called him before Hajj to ask few questions, instead of being co operative he screamed(yelled) at me and refused to talk to me over the phone as he was busy and he didn't have time for my useless questions and he threatened me that if? I will open up my mouth I would not only loose my Hajj money, I will be interrogated and he also told me in a very threatening tone that I should do ( sabar and shakur ) means to be patient and should not whine for whatever sufferings I get at the hands of this thug called Dr. Riaz Akhtar). That was my first interaction with this thug called Dr.Riaz Akhtar which left a bitter image in my raw mind.

Then when I landed on Jeddah airport(hajj terminal), I was left alone for 24 hours without Dr.Riaz or one of his representative's appearance to receive me and to guide me to Mecca. I was left alone at the hands of strangers who were torturing me for not showing them my group leader and when I called Dr.Riaz, he didn't answer and then after calling him numerous times, finally he answered his cell phone and ordered me in a very harsh tone to hire a taxi and come to Mecca myself which I tried to do and was subject to violation of Saudi laws without my leader and they threatened to arrest me,if, I would try to travel on my own.
Then finally I got in to a bus after 24 hours of torture and harassment which was sent by Dr.Riaz which is another torture to travel.
When we reached Mecca after 14 hours of tortuous bus journey , we were told in Mecca's hotel that there was no rooms reserved for us in that room by Barakah Hajj company. Then we called Dr.Riaz Akhtar again who didn't answer his phone for few hours, we had to spend several hours without any room in the foot steps of that hotel, finally we got our rooms which were very small rooms for more people.....

Then what happened in Mina was shocking to us, Dr.Riaz Akhtar accomodated 50 persons in a small tent which was not even sufficient for 8 persons where we were even unable to walk without jumping upon sleeping people and hitting them, that tent did not had any private bath rooms as promised by Dr.Riaz Akhtar.
This man promised us that this tent would be occupied by 8 to 10 persons and two private bath rooms per tent with fresh food daily. Dr.Riaz Akhtar exposed us to extreme violation of human rights where he gathered us in the name of religion called Hajj subject to dying, being looted, plundered, wounded, being exposed to different diseases , sleeping with feces and urine, women being exposed to strangers in an unethical way, being abused in the name of religion. Yes, this man Dr.Riaz Akhtar did commit violations of human rights by giving us old rotten foods, almost all of us got food poisoning along with other contagious diseases absolutely due to dumping of 50 people in one tent with horrible sanitation conditions.

When we went to Arafat , our tent was without any air for the whole day and not only that Dr.Riaz Akhtar left us without food for hours and finally people from other tents gave us their left over foods and teas as a charity..........

Then Dr.Riaz Akhtar left us deliberately in Mecca's streets without any help because he didn't wait for us as we were performing our last Hajj ceremonies in Haram which was extremely populated at that time. Dr.Riaz Akhtar took his bus to Medina without us and when we tried to contact him, he yelled at us and accused us for his own unorganized behavior. And not only that he didn't help us,neither did his agents. All they did were to misguide us and telling us to go back and forth for no reason. At the end we hired a taxi and paid the driver triple amount to go to Medina and we took the big risk of traveling without passport which is illegal in Saudia(all because of this man, called Dr.Riaz Akhtar....................He tortured us each and every step of our Hajj.....that is very sad...

When we reached Medina, again there were No rooms for us. we had to spend several hours without rooms. Finally, we got a room and just after one hour of getting that room, manager called us and threatened and yelled at us by saying," get out of these rooms, these are my room, they are not Dr.Riaz Akhtar's rooms, If you won't ? I will throw your luggage out. You won't have any reservations and he didn't pay us any money."

Again, we were extremely tortured ....................
Please, save your lives and stay away from this corrupt company.

Would you recommend it?: No

Are you the owner/employee/afflliated/related to this Hajj Group?: No


Overall rating		1.3
Organization		1.0
Professionalism		1.0
Honesty		1.0
Communication		1.0
Accommodations		1.0
Transportation		3.0

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Wothless Group - A Big Fraud

Written by Baraka Hell Sunday, 13 December 2009

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Hajj & Umrah Group Review

Was this a Hajj or Umrah?: Hajj

What year did you go?: 2009

Who was the Scholar/Shaikh/Imam of your Group?: None

Pros (postive comments)(if you comment on the hotel please mention the name): Bus trip from Mina to Arafat to Muzdalifa and back to Mina was arranged properly. Thanks.

Cons (negative comments)(if you comment on the hotel please mention the name): Overall, this Barakh Hajj and Umrah is a worthless group. The owner, never kept his promises, lied innumerable times, falified and made mine and about 97% of the group member's hajj experience a miserable affair. The day we landed in Madinah, about 25 of our group members, including me, was not provided hotel accomodation. We were on the street until 3 AM haggling, arguing, worrying as to why hotel rooms were not ready. No answer, no compassion from the group. Second day we were asked to arranged our own hotel accomodation and pay for it. They arranged room in Redisson Hotel but asked us to pay 600 Saudi Riyal for 2-person room. When everybody refused, the group reluctantly and after 12 hour of haggling, shifted us to a different hotel. Our package ("A")did not have anything to do with staying in Azizia, but we were forced to stay in Azizia for 3 nights. One day no food was served. My sincere advice to all future pilgrims, please avoid this group and its affiliate groups. Baraka Group is worhtless, an outright cheat.

Would you recommend it?: Yes

Are you the owner/employee/afflliated/related to this Hajj Group?: No

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