Stranded Umrah pilgrims to return on Saturday
The pilgrims will be arriving in Male' on a Qatar Airways flight on Saturday morning.
The 23 Umrah pilgrims who have been stranded in Mecca since last month will return to Male on Saturday, according to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
The pilgrims were initially taken to Mecca for the Umrah pilgrimage in December by Al-Hijra Travel and Tours, a local travel agency. However, due to financial mismanagement, the funds intended for their return tickets were not utilised, leaving the pilgrims stuck in Saudi Arabia.
The ministry confirmed that the pilgrims were taken over by the Hajj Corporation team, which has since provided them with accommodation at the Hajj Corporation's hotel in Mecca. The pilgrims will be arriving in Male on a Qatar Airways flight on Saturday morning.
In response to the incident, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has levied a fine of MVR 100,000 on Al-Hijra Travel and Tours for its failure to fulfil its obligations towards the pilgrims. The ministry has also taken steps to hold the company accountable for violating the regulations governing the Umrah pilgrimage.
Al-Hijra Travel and Tours, which is owned by Firaag Mohamed and Musthafa Mohamed, has been found in violation of the Umrah rules. As part of the penalty, the company will face several measures:
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The company’s permit to organise Umrah pilgrimages has been revoked.
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A fine of MVR 100,000 has been imposed for the neglect of the stranded pilgrims.
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Al-Hijra Travel and Tours and any other company in which the shareholders are involved will be prohibited from organising future Umrah pilgrimages.
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The Ministry of Islamic Affairs will seek to recover the costs incurred in bringing the distressed pilgrims back to the Maldives.
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The Ministry has also instructed the police to investigate the violation of Umrah regulations by Al-Hijra Travel and Tours and pursue legal action.
This incident is not the first of its kind. Last year, another local travel company, Mashar Group, faced legal challenges after issuing bounced cheques related to Umrah pilgrimages. The police have since requested the Prosecutor General’s Office to press charges against Mashar Group.
