Al Hijra group fined MVR 100,000

The Islamic Ministry has fined licensed Umrah tour operator Al Hijra Travel and Tours by MVR 100,000 after 24 Maldivian pilgrims who went to perform Umrah in December under the group's care were left stranded in Saudi Arabia.

According to local reports, the 24 pilgrims include five children and the tour guide assigned by Al Hijra.

As they remain unable to return back to Maldives, all 24 individuals are now under the care of Maldives Hajj Corporation, a state owned enterprise established to send locals to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah.

Regarding the matter, Islamic Ministry said that Al Hijra group confessed to spending the funds collected from the pilgrims on other expenses without arranging their return tickets, despite the fees being inclusive of air fare.

The ministry also said that with no return tickets confirmed, the pilgrims have requested the ministry for assistance. Because of this, all 23 pilgrims have now been taken into Maldives Hajj Corporation's custody, the ministry also detailed.

In light of the incident, a total of five actions have been taken against the group:

- Suspending Al Hijra's permit to take pilgrims to Umrah

- A fine of MVR 100,000

- Not issuing permits to Al Hijra or any other company owned by the same shareholders

- Recover expenses borne by the Maldivian government to repatriate the pilgrims

- Investigate the matter and file complaint with Maldives Police Service for criminal penalties

The ministry said it would take the necessary administrative and legal steps to implement the measures without hesitation. Al Hijra charged MVR 28,500 per person for the Umrah trips, which were scheduled for the school holidays in December. With the fees paid upfront, Al Hijra took on the responsibility of making all travel arrangements.

Although the group was originally due to return last Sunday, they were not booked onto a flight. This was made public on social media and soon after, Al Hijra issued a statement explaining that the incident took place due to the company's poor financial situation.

There are two people on the board of Al Hijra company. Firaq Mohamedfulhu and Mustafa Mohamedfulhu, both originally from Lh. Naifaru. Many of the pilgrims in the group are also reportedly from the island.

A case of pilgrims being stranded in Saudi Arabia cropped up last year during Ramadan as well. At the time, it was Al-Mashar Tours that was responsible, and the Maldivian government had to take on the responsibility of bringing the pilgrims back home.

Since then, a criminal investigation was concluded and the case has now been forwarded for prosecution.