Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir has revealed 32 victims of the Maleesha Hajj Group fraud case have travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Ahmed Zahir highlighted President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had decided to send all the individuals who made payments to the private Hajj group but were unable to travel to Saudi Arabia. Minister Zahir said the Islamic ministry determinedly worked to implement the decision, revealing 32 individuals have been included among the pilgrims travelling with Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited (MHCL).
The minister revealed when the administration assumed office last November, there were 45 individuals who have made payments but have not performed Hajj as Maleesha Hajj Group embezzled the payments it received. He said there was an arrangement in place to give slots from MHCL for 10 individuals every year when the administration assumed office. He added the administration exerted efforts to grant slots to all the victims of the fraud case this year.
However, Minister Zahir revealed some of the individuals could not be reached by the ministry, while others informed the ministry they are unable to travel to perform Hajj due to health reasons. He added one of the individuals who was on the waiting list had passed away before performing Hajj.
Furthermore, the Islamic minister expressed there are 5 individuals on the waiting list, adding they will be given slots from MHCL to perform Hajj next year.
In 2015, the Criminal Court concluded all hearings against Ismail Abdul 'Maalu' Latheef who was charged with embezzlement of money collected from several individuals after promising them Hajj pilgrimage. He was arrested in 2012 from Sri Lanka.