Al-Hijra Travels and Tours has been fined 100,000 rufiyaa and had its license suspended for the incident where people they took for Umrah last December were left stranded.

According to available information, 23 people who went for Umrah under the care of Al-Hijra Group were stranded in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, unable to return to the Maldives. This was because the group used the money meant for return tickets for other purposes, leaving them unable to purchase the tickets.

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said in a message sent to the media that he had contacted the stranded Umrah pilgrims and assessed their situation.

He also said that efforts were being made to assist the stranded Umrah pilgrims through the Maldives Hajj Corporation officials in Makkah, and that instructions had been given to the Managing Director of Hajj Corporation, Mohamed Shakeel, regarding this matter.

The Islamic Ministry stated today that the Hijra Group had admitted to using the money paid by the Umrah pilgrims for the December Umrah for other company purposes, even though the pilgrims had paid. Therefore, action have been taken against the company, and the case has been submitted to the police for legal action, according to the Ministry.