Shaheem: Individuals falsely registered as poor to be denied state-funded Hajj trip

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed states individuals who are listed on the poverty registry by providing false information will be denied state-funded Hajj trips.

The government held the draw to select 50 individuals who will receive state-funded Hajj trips this year last week’s Tuesday.

Concerns have been raised, claiming some of the individuals selected in the draw are not low-income individuals. In this regard, it has been alleged that a couple from a Thaa Atoll had been selected for the Hajj trip as they registered on the poverty registry by providing false information.

Shaheem commented on the matter via a message to the media on Friday. In this regard, the Minister said individuals selected from the poverty registry for the state-funded Hajj trips will only be confirmed for the slot once their living situation is further verified. In this regard, Shaheem stressed that it will be ensured whether the selected individual meets the requirements of the low-income individual.

On the contrary, he noted that individuals who are found to have registered on the poverty registry by providing false information will be denied the opportunity.

The issue has come to light on previous occasions as well.

Providing state-sponsored Hajj trips for 1,000 low-income individuals during his five-year term is an electoral pledge of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The execution of the pledge commenced last year, with 50 individuals traveling to Hajj pilgrimage on state expenses. 

However, it has been alleged that some of the individuals selected for the state-funded Hajj trips last year were not, in reality, low-income individuals.

The draw to select individuals who will receive state-funded Hajj trips is held among individuals listed on the poverty register at the Maldives Zakat House.

This year, the draw was held among 302 people who were eligible under the policy on state-funded Hajj trips. An additional 10 people were also drawn as alternates, under any circumstance any of the 50 individuals selected are unable to travel for Hajj pilgrimage for any reason.

Prior to this, Minister Shaheem has said state-funded Hajj trips would be awarded to a different set of people every year.