Ministry of Islamic Affairs has started efforts to arrange the return, on government expense, of a group of people who have been left stranded in Saudi Arabia after the tour company failed to make travel arrangements.
Ministry of Islamic Affairs has started efforts to arrange the return, on government expense, of a group of people who went to perform Umrah with Al Hijra Travels and Tours, who have been left stranded in Saudi Arabia after the company failed to make travel arrangements for the pilgrims to travel back home.
A total of 24 pilgrims are stranded in Saudi Arabia, after having gone on Umrah through Al Hijra, who holds a valid permit to conduct such trips.
The pilgrims went on Umrah pilgrimage during the school holidays after paying MVR 28,500, under which the company is to provide return tickets, visas, and other arrangements. They were set to return last Sunday, but still remain without being issued tickets.
The issue was raised on social media yesterday, after which Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed contacted the pilgrims and clarified their status.
"We are trying to bring back the stranded pilgrims on January 10. As they have to check out of their hotel, they will be staying under the care of the Hajj Corporation until their return," the Minister said.
The Minister also said that action will be taken against the tour operator today.
The stranded group of pilgrims also include 5 children under the age of 18.
Hajj Corporation has been arranging food for these pilgrims as well since last night.
"They said they will transfer us today to the hotel where the Hajj Corporation officials are staying," one of the pilgrims told Mihaaru News.
Al Hijra Travels and Tours, meanwhile, has stated that they were unable to arrange return for the pilgrims due to financial difficulties faced by the company.
"This company is working even now to find a way to bring the pilgrims back to Maldives, but we haven't found a way even to date," they said.
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