Attorney General's Office (AGO) has forwarded the Hajj and Umrah Bill to the President's Office. The bill is proposed to strengthen the system of transportation for people from the Maldives to perform Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
As per the bill, only government companies providing Hajj and Umrah services and private companies permitted under the law in the Maldives will be allowed to take pilgrims to perform Hajj and Umrah. The bill details the responsibilities of the Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited, the establishment of a Hajj and Umrah fund to strengthen the service and provide services at the lowest possible price, and the rules on investing the money deposited in the fund. It also states the rules for issuing, withholding, and revoking permits for companies to take pilgrims for Hajj and Umrah. The bill also sets out the standards to be met in the arrangements. In addition to the responsibilities of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the rules for taking action against those who violate the law and regulations are also included in the bill.
Furthermore, AGO has also forwarded the Sports Act Amendment Bill to the President's Office. The bill proposes to establish a national sports framework under the Sports Act of the Maldives and to make necessary amendments to the act to strengthen the law enforcement system. The main amendments proposed by the bill include establishing a national sports framework, allocating competitive and non-competitive sports activities in all age groups, registration and classification of sports associations, and inclusion of a member representing persons with disabilities in the sports council. The amendment also includes the abolition of the Maldives Sports Corporation.