_:n5f329f70680e43f0835245de904a8b7exb92
<http://schema.org/description>
"As Salamu Alaikum,\r\n\r\nWhile costs are high, I'm not sure they are terribly 'unreasonable' when taking into account two week trips internationally, anywhere else....\r\n\r\nWhat is included:  \r\n1. Round trip International airfare for a select few days, for millions to the same destination.  \r\n2. The higher end deals (10,000 plus) typically include 5 star hotels.  Typically, these hotels are not only posh, but they are closest to the haram (if not pretty much right on it).  In Arafat, Muzdalifa, you also get special accommodation (special tents, etc).  \r\n3. All meals and transportation are included.\r\n4. An experienced guide (imam) with you at all stages.\r\n5. Things like cell phones are included with some tours.  \r\n6.  All arrangements are taken care of.  Ie, the hajji not the one who is booking the hotels, finding food and transportation, etc. \r\n\r\nIn summary: one is not only paying for luxury, but access.  \r\n\r\nPerhaps there is unreasonable profit being made out of this, but, before throwing accusations, someone really needs to do the math...remembering to take into account the access part of the equation, not just flat costs of a room, food, bus fare, etc. \r\n\r\nCosts maybe much higher, but lets face it, we Americans are spoiled.  We're not really used to the hardships of life.  Even with all thus luxury, people find plenty to complain about (crowds, bathroom conditions in some places, weather, behavior of others, delays, etc).  Imagine if we had to include long walks back and forth from our place of stay, poor (or no) food, poor (or no transportation) to the list...\r\n\r\nThe best way to think about it maybe to think of our spending on hajj as a gift to Allah...ie, we are spending for His sake to perform a rite that He asked of us.  \r\n\r\nEarlier generations may have spent less (per day, anyway, typically, they stayed longer), but they had their own challenges that we don't have to face (ie, many did not know if they would return alive - they were afraid of being caught on the way by bandits, etc). \r\n\r\nAnd remember, the reward of an accepted Hajj is nothing less than paradise.  \r\n\r\nThis is not meant to excuse any shady behavior on the part of hajj providers.  But again, we need to back up our accusations with solid evidence."
<https://muslimmatters.org/category/muslimmatters/announcements/page/2/>