The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has revoked the Umrah travel permit granted to Askoi Hajj and Umrah Tours, citing a serious breach of regulations. 

According to a statement issued by the ministry, Askoi group had received payments from 28 individuals intending to travel for Umrah in July. However, the company cancelled the trip days before departure, citing unrest in the Gulf region as the reason. The ministry noted that there is currently no official advisory or security concern justifying such a cancellation.

The ministry further revealed that Askoi group failed to respond to formal communications regarding the matter, including requests to return passports and important documents of the pilgrims. A letter sent by the ministry to the company also went unanswered.

As a result, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has taken several actions: Askoi’s permit to facilitate Umrah pilgrimages has been revoked, and a ban has been placed on any other company linked to the group’s shareholders from providing Umrah services. The company has also been ordered to refund all payments collected for the cancelled pilgrimage and a formal complaint has been lodged with the Maldives Police Service to investigate and pursue legal action.

The ministry recalled that Askoi had previously faced action for similar misconducts. In a prior incident involving the failure to send pilgrims during Ramadan, the company was fined MVR 130,000 and was directed to issue full refunds.