Stranded Al-Hijra group pilgrims return to Maldives

The pilgrims escorted by Al-Hijra Travel and Tours Private Limited who got stranded in Mecca have returned to the Maldives on Saturday.

Speaking with Sun on Sunday, Maldives Hajj Corporation’s Head of Office Operations Aishath Gahir said the stranded pilgrims arrived in Male’ at 13:00pm on Saturday afternoon and were all in good health.

A total of 23 pilgrims including children below the age of 12 escorted to Umrah in December by Al-Hijra got stranded in Mecca as their return airfare had not been arranged.

Islamic Ministry slapped the company with an MVR 100,000 fine and withheld its license over the case on Thursday after they admitted to using payments paid by pilgrims for other business purposes rather than booking their return airfare.

The case is also under investigation by the Maldives Police Service after a complaint was filed by the Islamic Ministry.