Each of the 19 companies has been fined MVR 5,000 for breaching Umrah regulations, while the ministry is also investigating a company accused of fraudulently purchasing dollars from the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) without facilitating Umrah trips.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has announced it will publicly disclose the names of 19 companies that violated Umrah regulations if they fail to pay fines within the stipulated timeframe.
Each of the 19 companies has been fined MVR 5,000 for breaching regulations, while the ministry is also investigating a company accused of fraudulently purchasing dollars from the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) without facilitating Umrah trips.
Violations by some companies this year caused significant difficulties for pilgrims. Notably, Al-Hijra, a company that took people for Umrah with one-way tickets, left pilgrims stranded in Mecca. The government eventually covered the cost of their return.
Public calls to reveal the names of the violating companies have intensified. A ministry official told Mihaaru News that the names will be disclosed if fines remain unpaid.
Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed stated that if allegations are proven, offending companies could face fines of up to MVR 30,000, suspension of their operating licenses, and potential referral to the police for further investigation.
The official said that the name of the company under investigation has not yet been revealed due to allegations having not yet been proven.
The company is accused of withdrawing USD from Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) under the pretense of arranging Umrah pilgrimages. However, the company reportedly did not send any pilgrims and is believed to have used fake documents.
The case came to light during an ongoing investigation into Al Hijra Travels and Tours, a company responsible for leaving 23 Maldivian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia last December. The pilgrims were brought back last Saturday.
The ministry fined Al Hijra Group with MVR 100,000 and revoked their permit. It has also decided not to issue permits to Al Hijra or any other company owned by the same shareholders
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.
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