Askoi Hajj and Umrah Tours has been fined for violating the Umrah rules. 

An issue emerged involving six individuals who paid MVR 252,000 to perform Umrah during Ramadan this year, only to be informed they would not be taken on the pilgrimage. 

The issue was brought to the attention of the Islamic Ministry, which promptly launched an investigation. 

Updating on the investigation, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, revealed that Askoi Hajj and Umrah Tours has been fined for violating the Umrah rules. 

The Ministry has imposed a fine of MVR 130,000 on the group, with 30 days to settle it. The Ministry has also ordered the group to refund the six individuals who made the payments to perform Umrah this year.