Govt to bring back stranded Umrah pilgrims
Al-Hijra Group allegedly used the funds that were meant for return tickets to cover other expenses.
Government has stepped in to address the distressing situation of several Umrah pilgrims who have been stranded in Mecca due to the negligence of the Al-Hijra Group, a company responsible for organizing their pilgrimage.
Islamic Minister, Mohamed Shaheem Ali Said, on Wednesday vowed to take immediate action to help the stranded pilgrims return home and ensure accountability for the company’s failure.
According to reports from various newspapers, the issue arose when Al-Hijra Group allegedly used the funds that were meant for return tickets to cover other expenses. This left the pilgrims unable to return home after completing their Umrah pilgrimage, leaving them stranded in Saudi Arabia.
In response to the situation, Shaheem took to social media platform 'X' to share updates and reassure the public that the ministry was fully aware of the issue and would do everything in its power to resolve it.
"The situation of people who went to Umrah on behalf of a company called Al-Hijra has come to the attention of the ministry. The ministry will do whatever it can to help the people return home. In Sha Allah," he wrote in a post.
Shaheem later provided further updates, revealing that he had been in direct contact with the stranded pilgrims in Mecca. He assured the public that his ministry would take strong action against the Al-Hijra Group's leaders, who had allegedly neglected the welfare of the pilgrims.
"The leaders of Al-Hijra Group who neglected the Umrah pilgrims will be investigated and action will be taken," Shaheem confirmed in a subsequent post.
Additionally, the Maldives Hajj Corporation (MHC), which has a team currently stationed in Mecca, has been tasked with assisting the affected pilgrims. The MHC team is actively working to resolve the situation and facilitate the safe return of the stranded pilgrims to the Maldives.
