Shaheem: Additional Umrah groups also violated regulations; action will be taken

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, citing additional companies which escorted Maldivian pilgrims to Umrah also violated regulations, states action will be taken against them.

The Minister’s remarks come amid grave violations from some Umrah companies.

In this regard, Al-Hijra Travel and Tours Private Limited recently came under fire for letting pilgrims escorted by the company become stranded in Meccah after being unable to return to the Maldives. Islamic Ministry slapped the company with a MVR 100,000 fine and withheld its license over the case on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, Police said they requested charges against the owners of Al-Mash’ar Tours in connection to the case where a cheque issued by the company had bounced leading to pilgrims being stranded in Mecca.

Minister Shaheem, on Friday, said the Ministry has observed additional companies that failed to comply with the regulation on escorting pilgrims from the Maldives published on October 9^th. As such, the Minister said action will be taken against the companies next week, in accordance with the regulation, depending on the degree of their non-compliance.

However, he did not specify the names of the companies.

A total of 23 pilgrims including children below the age of 12 escorted to Umrah in December by Al-remains stranded in Mecca as their return airfare had not been arranged.

They flew these pilgrims by splitting them into three groups, and via three different flights. The pilgrims were also to vacate from the hotels one night during the trip.

According to Islamic Ministry, the company admitted to using payments paid by pilgrims for other business purposes rather than booking their return airfare.

State-owned Maldives Hajj Corporation has taken charge of pilgrims at the instruction of the Islamic Ministry. The Ministry has said they will be returning to Male’ on Saturday.

Al-Mash’ar Tours case also involved some 50 pilgrims escorted by the company getting stranded in Mecca in early 2024. This was prompted after a cheque issued by the company for their airfare had bounced.