Male, Maldives – A group of Maldivian pilgrims who traveled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah under the care of Al-Hijra Travels and Tours Group were brought back to Male’ this morning after facing significant difficulties. The pilgrims were stranded due to the company's alleged mismanagement of funds meant for their return tickets.

The issue came to light when it was discovered that Al-Hijra Travels and Tours had used the funds allocated for the pilgrims' return tickets for other purposes. Upon being informed of the situation, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs intervened and arranged for the pilgrims to be accommodated in a hotel booked by the Hajj Corporation. The pilgrims were provided with meals and other necessities until their return.

The group departed from Jeddah Airport at 7:30 PM on Friday and arrived in Male’ today after a three-hour transit in Doha.

Strict Measures Against Al-Hijra Travels and Tours

In response to the incident, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has imposed severe penalties on Al-Hijra Travels and Tours. The measures include:

• Suspension of Umrah Permit: The permit granted to Al-Hijra Travels and Tours for organizing Umrah trips has been suspended.
• Monetary Fine: The company has been fined MVR 100,000 for its negligence.
• Ban on Shareholders: No company involving any of Al-Hijra’s shareholders will be permitted to organize Umrah trips in the future.
• Recovery of Expenses: The Ministry will recover the expenses incurred in bringing back the stranded pilgrims.
• Legal Action: The case has been forwarded to the Maldives Police Service for investigation and legal action, as the company violated the "Guidelines for Taking People from Maldives for Umrah."

Broader Crackdown on Non-Compliant Companies

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has announced that similar action will be taken against other companies found to be in violation of the Umrah guidelines. The Minister stated that several companies have been identified as non-compliant with the guidelines gazetted on October 9, 2024, and measures will be taken against them next week based on the severity of their violations.

"This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to the guidelines established to protect our citizens. We will not tolerate any negligence or misconduct by companies entrusted with organizing such sacred journeys," said Dr. Shaheem.

Background and Implications

This year, 33 companies were authorized to organize Umrah trips for Maldivian pilgrims. The incident involving Al-Hijra Travels and Tours has raised concerns about the oversight and accountability of these companies. The Ministry’s swift action underscores its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of pilgrims.

The government’s crackdown on non-compliant companies is expected to set a precedent for stricter enforcement of regulations in the future, safeguarding the interests of Maldivian citizens undertaking religious pilgrimages.