Umrah Facilitator Accused of Neglect Amid Delay in Return

Families of individuals who traveled to Umrah with the Musafirin Group, a non-governmental organization facilitating Umrah trips, have lodged complaints regarding their inability to return to the Maldives and their subsequent struggles while stranded abroad.

Approximately 50,000 pilgrims, under the management of the group during the previous Ramadan, were expected to arrive in the Maldives yesterday. However, their flight via Medina to Dubai was canceled due to heavy rainfall, leading to the temporary closure of Dubai's main international airport.

A family member of individuals under the care of the Musafirin group informed Mihaaru about the group's alleged misconduct. Despite being stranded at the airport until midnight, they were not provided with food.

"They were fasting according to Sunnah fasts. However, they were unable to break their fast as the flight was canceled while they were at the airport. They struggled to find a place to eat, and their unfamiliarity with the area added to their distress," he recounted.

The group was eventually transported to a hotel around midnight, but the situation remained dire. They arrived at the hotel at 4 am and went without water until noon.

"There were only hardware shops in the vicinity, and they were unsure where to purchase food and water. Those responsible for their care should have arranged transportation to obtain essentials," he asserted.

"The hotel accommodations were subpar. Rooms were not prepared, and they were provided with rooms that had just been vacated. They were not allocated proper rooms until morning, and they went without water during this time," he detailed, describing his family's ordeal in Medina.

Despite their desperate circumstances, attempts to seek assistance from the Musafirin Group yielded no results. The group refused to accept responsibility, attributing the situation to the airline's fault.

"They claimed they couldn't be held accountable for numerous individuals, as the airline was to blame," the family relayed their conversation with the group.

In light of their predicament, the family expressed willingness to provide for themselves by paying more to the group if necessary, emphasizing the group's lack of concern for their well-being.

"We believe that instead of shifting blame onto the airline, the group should prioritize the welfare of its members, especially in dire situations," the spokesperson for the family remarked.

The group's failure to communicate a specific return date for the families exacerbates their distress.

The Musafirin Group has not responded to inquiries from Mihaaru regarding the matter.