Govt to bring back stranded pilgrims today

The Maldivian government will bring back the 23 pilgrims who were left stranded in Saudi Arabia after they went to perform Umrah last December under the care of licensed Umra tour operator Al Hijra Travels and Tours, said Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed last night.

The issue initially came to light on Tuesday night. Since then the pilgrims have been under the care of Maldives Hajj Corporation based in Saudi Arabia, a state owned enterprise established by the government to arrange Hajj and Umrah for locals. This was at the request of Minister Shaheem.

The minister said the distressed pilgrims have now been transferred to the hotel where Maldives Hajj Corporation pilgrims are staying. They will be brought back to Maldives on Qatar Airways at 8:10 am on Saturday, he said.

They went on Umrah during the school holidays and paid Al Hijra MVR 28,500, with the mutual understanding that the company would handle all of their travel arrangements including tickets and visas. However, despite being scheduled to return to the Maldives last Saturday, they were unable to because tickets were not purchased.

The company said yesterday that they could not bring the pilgrims back due to the company's financial situation.

However, the Islamic Ministry has now taken action against the company. Along with an MVR 100,000 fine, the company's permit has also been revoked. The company and any other company with Al Hijra shareholders would also not be issued an Umrah tour permit and a case will be reported to the police, the ministry said.

The ministry further said that the company would have to repay the cost of bringing the pilgrims back to Maldives as well.

The company is owned by Firaq Mohamedfulhu and Musthafa Mohamedfulhu, both from Lh. Naifaru. Most of the pilgrims are also reportedly from the island.