Council Member Salaam to create multilingual outreach on Hajj and Umrah scams

Council Member Yusef Salaam introduced Intro. 837A, saying the bill would direct the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection to develop multilingual materials and an ongoing outreach and education program about scams related to Hajj and Umrah.

Salaam said predatory operators and fraudulent travel agents have sold nonexistent visas, taken deposits and disappeared, or advertised accommodations and services that never materialized, leaving families without funds to undertake the pilgrimage. The bill would require DCWP, working with the Commission on Human Rights, the Office of Immigrant Affairs and the Department for the Aging, to distribute materials and post guidance on agency websites.

Salaam listed co‑sponsors including Council members Hanif, Harvey Epstein, Williams, Chris Banks, Crystal Hudson, Camilla Hanks, Lynn Schulman, Amanda Farias, Julie Won and Eric Dinowitz. He said residents will be taught how to recognize fraudulent offers, keep records of payments and use legitimate booking channels, including noting Saudi Arabia’s official platform.

Salaam framed the bill as protecting the free exercise of religion and urged colleagues to vote yes. The transcript records the presentation and co‑sponsor list but does not include the outcome of any vote during this session.