Hajj agencies file case against ministry at ACC

A case against the Islamic Ministry’s process in licensing agencies that would send pilgrims to Hajj this year has been filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

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

The case at the ACC claims that there was corruption and favoritism in the reviewing process.

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.

Further 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 establish and license Umrah agents at any given time.