Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has stated that a specialised regulation will be introduced to govern the provision of Hajj and Umrah services in the Maldives.
Responding to a question raised by a Member of Parliament, the Minister said such a regulation is necessary to address recurring issues where individuals pay for Umrah services but are unable to travel.
Islamic Minister Dr Shaheem explained that the proposed framework would clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the Maldives Hajj Corporation and private service providers, while also establishing stricter penalties for failure to deliver agreed services. The minister noted that similar regulatory frameworks are in place in other countries, adding that stronger legislation is essential to minimise such failures.
“This is about people’s finances, conditions and rights. There must be legislation. I will work towards this in the near future. We need the support of MPs for a just solution,” he said.
Issues involving private Hajj and Umrah operators failing to deliver services have become increasingly frequent in 2025 and 2026, with some residents unable to undertake pilgrimage despite having paid the required fees.
Hajj and Umrah services are currently provided under existing guidelines. However, the Minister said a dedicated regulation would enable more robust oversight and help build greater trust among clients.
The number of private Umrah service providers has also increased in recent years, with several companies currently offering pilgrimage packages in the Maldives.