Hajj Corporation extends support to stranded pilgrims

Hajj Corporation, the state-run Hajj and Umrah service provider, has begun efforts to bring back the stranded Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

A group of pilgrims who flew to Saudi Arabia for Umrah through Al-Hijra Umrah Group in late 2024, have been stuck in the country without any way to return.

‘Sun’ Online has learned through credible sources that a total of 24 pilgrims, including children, have been stuck as their return tickets have not been arranged.

In response to this, the Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said the government has liaised Maldives Hajj Corporation, which is currently bringing its own pilgrims back to Maldives, to bring the stranded Al-Hijra pilgrims back as well.

According to the minister, instructions regarding this has already been relayed to Hajj Corporation’s Managing Director Mohamed Shakeel.

Minister Shaheem assured the government will hasten in extending assistance to Maldivian citizens during such plights, and added such efforts are aligned with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s instructions of working closely with the public.

“We are trying to bring the stranded pilgrims by 10^th of this month. Since they have been required to vacate their hotel, they will remain under the supervision of Hajj Corporation until their return. Their food and stay will be arranged. These pilgrims include three children aged 12 as well,” Shaheem said.

Al-Hijra Umrah Group reportedly took these pilgrims by splitting them into three groups, and via three different flights. Additionally, the group’s arrangement for the pilgrims’ stay in Saudi Arabia has been less than satisfactory, while the pilgrims were required to vacate their lodging as well.

While Umrah pilgrimage has concluded, all the pilgrims who flew to Saudi Arabia through Al-Hijra are currently stranded without any way to return.

Although ‘Sun’ attempted to get a comment on this from Al-Hijra, they were unavailable.

There have been instances of small Hajj and Umrah groups mishandling pilgrims reported previously, while there are some instances of such groups scamming pilgrims off of their money as well.