The aspiration of many Moroccan pilgrims to perform Umrah has turned into a nightmare as they find themselves stranded in Turkey. Families of these pilgrims are protesting in the streets of Marrakech, calling for their loved ones to be rescued and for those responsible for this situation to be held accountable. Videos circulating on social media depict grieving family members holding up pictures of the stranded pilgrims, as they cry out for help. What was meant to be a spiritual journey has become a distressing ordeal, especially for the elderly and women among the stranded.

Reports indicate that the pilgrims had paid for their travel and accommodations in full but encountered issues with visas and complications in their journey to Saudi Arabia. The families assert that the difficulties experienced by their loved ones are not just a matter of poor organization but reflect a broader issue of 'fraud and exploitation in the name of religion.' They are appealing to Moroccan authorities for immediate action to secure the return of their family members and to ensure their rights are protected.

Moreover, there are calls for a transparent judicial investigation to determine the responsible parties behind this predicament. The situation has shed light on potential human trafficking or exploitation issues connected to religious tourism, calling for stricter regulations to prevent such occurrences in the future. The plight of these pilgrims poses critical questions about the responsibilities of travel agencies and the need for protective measures for religious travelers.