Hajj agency files case against Islamic Ministry at Civil Court

A privately-operated Hajj pilgrimage agency has filed a case against the government’s review process in authorizing agencies allowed to carry pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia this year.

Askoi Investments filed the case against the Islamic Ministry with the Civil Court last week.

Sixteen agencies had submitted proposals this year, of which six were licensed. The licenses were given based on points assigned by the Islamic Ministry after its review.

The state-operated Maldives Hajj Corporation was given permission to carry 50 percent of the 1,000-pilgrim quota assigned to the country. The remaining five companies were licensed to carry 100 pilgrims each.

While Askoi Investments seeks to dispute the review process, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also begun investigating complaints that there was favouritism in the process.

All Hajj agencies have been asked to suspend their operations, primarily in collecting funds from those that are to embark to Mecca, following the probe.

The Islamic Ministry has also been asked to suspend licensing further agencies, and halt work related to Hajj pilgrimage.

However, after reports that agencies have been conducting transactions despite the ACC advisory, the commission released another statement noting that given the probe no agencies are not linsenced yet and therefore could be liable to legal action.

Issues in licensing pilgrim groups surfaced following an audio leak which has an official believed to be from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs reveal that he carries considerable influence in the services extended by Umrah pilgrimage agents.

In the audio, the official is heard saying that he has enough connections to license pilgrim agents of his choosing at any given time.