Islamic Ministry lodges cases against Mash'ar Tours to the police

Cases related to Mash'ar Tours providing Umrah trips without a permit has been lodged to the police for further investigation.

Responding to a question posed by Mihaaru News during the press conference held by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs today, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed stated that a few cases has been submitted in appeal for further investigation last month due to obtainment of additional information regarding the cases recently.

As reported by Mihaaru News, it is believed that the case lodged by the Ministry is that of the Mash'ar group sending pilgrims to Umrah without a official permit.

While 53 people had undertaken Umrah trips through Masha'r Tours, an issue regarding the bouncing of a check payment for 50 tickets taken from Ace Travels Maldives had also surfaced this time. This was due to the agency failing to settle payments for the tickets within the window extended by Ace Travels. However, the pilgrims were later brought back to Maldives under the agency's own expense.

While cases against Umrah groups were submitted to the police, some groups are still resuming their provision of Umrah trips while lacking a permit. Multiple civilians were faced with setbacks due to this.

Therefore, the Minister had implored civilians to verify if the groups they make payments to for Umrah trips possess a permit.

Some companies are advertising themselves as 'Saudi Tours' once they fail to obtain a permit. The act of Umrah is also included within the tour.

"Even in Saudi, the act of Umrah is carried out very distinctly, through specific policies in extremely safe environments. There are regulations made. We are also required to go there through a system of obedience towards these regulations." said the Minster.

Shaheem entreated the people to ensure that the agencies being paid for Umrah trips are permitted by the Ministry. He stated that while most Umrah groups are issued with permits, the details will be accessible through the Ministry's website.

"With God's will, [the information] will be shared with travel agencies in the future as well. That is to prevent such things," said Shaheem.

He stated that if pilgrims require help while overseas due to such an event, the government will assuredly assist them and further assured that that is not a matter to be questioned. However, he stated that actions must not be centered around the certainty that aid is guaranteed.

The Minister remarked that the people have faced many difficulties caused by unpermitted Umrah groups.