Hajj regulation to be amended to ban additional payments

Ministry of Islamic Affairs announced that it will, hereafter, not allow hajj companies to demand more payments from pilgrims above the amount set by the ministry.

Eight companies were given permission at the rate of 80 pilgrims per company for the hajj this year.

Ministry of Islamic Affairs set the price of economy package to MVR 57,999, and the VIP package to MVR 112,129 – warning the companies not to take any more payment from pilgrims.

There have been reports of double and triple the amount being taken from pilgrims this year as well.

Deputy Islamic Minister, Mohamed Musthafa said that it would be put a stop to in time for the hajj pilgrimage next year.

“We will amend the payment methods and reform the regulation so that such talk isn’t heard hereafter,” said Musthafa.

Musthafa said that Ministry of Ismalic Affairs had spoken to hajj companies which allegedly took extra payment, but that they denied it.

He said that Ministry of Islamic Affairs would take action against such companies if they were provided with proof.