Action to be taken against companies breaching Umrah regulations

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has announced that action will be taken against additional companies for failing to adhere to regulations concerning the organization of Umrah trips from Maldives.

This follows previous action against Al-Hijra Travels and Tours, which stranded several individuals who had traveled for Umrah last December.

Minister Shaheem said that some companies had violated the regulations outlined in the Gazette issued in October last year. He stated that depending on the severity of each violation, further actions will be taken this week.

However, the identities of the companies involved have not yet been disclosed.

In regard to Al-Hijra Travels and Tours, the Islamic Ministry said that the company admitted to misusing the funds collected from pilgrims. Despite the payment for airfare being included in the package, the company had spent the funds on other expenses and failed to arrange return tickets.

As a result, the ministry imposed a fine of MVR 100,000 and suspended the company's permit. The ministry additionally decided not to issue permits to Al-Hijra or any other companies owned by the same shareholders. A police complaint will also be filed against Al-Hijra’s board of directors, Firaq Mohamedfulhu and Mustafa Mohamedfulhu, the ministry said.

The ministry had arranged for the 23 stranded pilgrims to return to Maldives through Hajj Corporation yesterday. Al-Hijra will be required to reimburse the cost of repatriating the pilgrims, the ministry added.

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. A criminal investigation into that matter has been completed, and the case is now set for prosecution.