Ministry of Islamic Affairs has issued permits to four new companies to take Maldivians on the Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
The four companies that newly received permits to facilitate Umrah pilgrimage are Zair Private Limited, Raula Private Limited, Uhud Hajj and Umrah Private Limited and Al-Musafir Private Limited. A total of 41 companies are now permitted to take Maldivian pilgrims on Umrah.
As per the new policy established by the Islamic ministry for Umrah pilgrimage, only companies with 100% Maldivian ownership will be approved for organising pilgrimages. The permits are issued for a two-year period.
The policy also states companies are required to have their own bank accounts to deposit payments to fund Umrah pilgrimages. It states the special bank account should only be opened by registered companies under their name, and should only be used for depositing payments made by pilgrims and to make financial transactions between the company and pilgrims. The companies are also required to provide receipts to the pilgrims who deposit their payments.