List of approved local Umrah agencies published

Islamic Ministry today published the list of travel agencies which are approved to take people to perform the Islamic holy prayer of Umrah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The list included a total of 58 companies which received approval to take people on Umrah during August 2022, May and September of 2023 as well as May of this year.

This list is published at a time when several agencies have been accused of taking people on Umrah without approval from the Ministry, and leaving them stranded in Mecca.

Last November an agency named Mash’ar Tours faced allegations of leaving Maldivian Umra goers stranded in Saudi Arabia. Although they were previously approved, their permit was suspended at the time following a previous similar incident.

After their permit was revoked, they took on pilgrims again after forming a separate tour agency. During their most recent scandal, it came to light that they had taken payments from passengers for round air tickets, but had not paid the airline when it came time for the passengers to return.

Due to this, the travellers were stuck in Saudi Arabia for many days before they were finally able to return to Maldives after the agency finally made the payment.

Following this incident, Islamic Ministry filed an official complaint against the agency at Maldives Police Service.

The Ministry also urged Umrah goers to confirm whether the agency they are travelling with is approved for the cause.