Tag: Hajj

Police commence search for suspect in Hajj pilgrimage payment “fraud”

The Maldives Police Service has commenced a search for a 42-year old Hulhumale’-based businessman wanted for questioning on suspicion of fraudulently collecting funds from Hajj pilgrims.

According to local media, Ismail Abdul Latheef, head of the Maleesha Hajj and Umra Group is under investigation by police for alleged fraud concerning payments received by his company for this year’s Hajj Pilgrimage.

Police have said that attempts are ongoing to locate and question Latheef, who is suspected of having fled the country, the Sun Online news service has reported.

Authorities have claimed that 52 complaints have so far been received over alleged payments made to the Maleesha Hajj and Umra Group.

Police Spokesperson Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef was not responding to calls at the time of press.

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Islamic Ministry discusses mosque project with Saudi authorities

The Maldives is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia for assistance in constructing a number of mosques in the country, Islamic Minister Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has told local media.

Shaheem yesterday confirmed that an assistance agreement was expected to be reached during an ongoing visit to Sri Lanka to meet the ambassadors of nations with strongly Islamic societies. These nations included Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, local newspaper Haveeru has reported.

During these discussions, the Islamic minister was also reported to have discussed a number of issues such as extending the Maldives’ quota of Hajj pilgrims.

Shaheem has claimed that the MOU would be signed with the Saudi Arabian government in the near future.

According to local media, talks have also held with Egyptian authorities in order to strengthen ties between the two nations through initiatives like the provision of placements for Maldivian students at the Al Azhar University.

Enquiries were also made about bringing scholars from the same institution to the Maldives during Ramadan.

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Hajj attendance continues to rise among Maldivians: Islamic Ministry

A growing number of Maldivians are showing interest in taking part in the annual Hajj pilgrimage that kicked off yesterday, meaning both big business and a few logistical headaches for the private groups selected to oversee the holy visit to Saudi Arabia, says the Islamic Ministry.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Mohamed Didi, told Minivan News that the 1402 pilgrims travelling from the Maldives to Mecca in Saudi Arabia represents a year-on-year growth of local people present during the fifth pillar of Islam – a key requirement of the national faith.

A total of 1142 pilgrims travelled from the Maldives last year for the Hajj, with Saudi officials estimating that about 2.5 million participants were in attendance overall during the 2009 pilgrimage.

Didi says that after originally obtaining a quota for 1000 Maldivians to travel out to Mecca this year, the Islamic Ministry has since been granted an additional 500 places at the last minute after requests to Saudi Arabian authorities to help meet what he says has been increasingly strong interest in attending the event.

However, the last minute nature of this extension has caused some challenges for organisers, according to the ministry. Considering the need for the eight private groups entrusted with arranging pilgrimages from the Maldives to secure transport, accommodation and other travel services, the Permanent Secretary claims that not all this quota has been filled this year due to insufficient planning time.

“Normally a group will rent an apartment [for the pilgrimage] two to three months ahead of Hajj,” added Didi. “This creates an extra burden [for organisers]”.

Alongside the private groups and business that are selected to organise and oversee the Hajj pilgrimage, the government is itself allocated 10 spaces to select participants from across the civil and public service sector to travel to Mecca. Islamic Minister Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari is leading the Maldives’ delegation at present.

The Hajj, as one of the five pillars of Islam, is viewed as key a religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out by all able-bodied followers at least once in their lifetime, should they be able to afford the trip. According to Didi, the cost per person for taking part in this year’s pilgrimage is thought to be about Rf 65,000 (US $5000).

For those not able to make their way to Mecca this year though, Didi says that the country will be spending the day fasting and praying ahead of Eid Al Adha beginning tomorrow, an event that will see a number of roads around the capital being closed to accommodate worshippers.

Half of the ground floor of the Islamic Centre by Republic Square in Male’ will also be set aside exclusively for women during prayers, the Ministry added.

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November 16 to be Eid-Al-Adha

The Saudi Arabiya has declared November 16 as the day of Eid Al Adha following the sighting of the crescent moon, reports Ahlul Bayt News Agency.

The ABNA reported that the Saudi Supreme Court have also declared today is the first day of Dhul Al Hijja, the month of pilgrimage.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah will begin on November 14, reported ABNA.

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Swine flu reaches over 30 confirmed cases

The number of swine flu cases in the Maldives has climbed to 32 after seven more people, including a pilgrim returning from Hajj, tested positive yesterday.

The 27-year-old man was the first Hajj pilgrim to test positive for swine flu.

This establishes infection in Haa Alif Baarah, Hoarafushi, Thuraakunu, Dhaal Rinbidhoo, Faaf Nilandhoo and a resort island being developed in Thaa atoll, according to the health ministry.

The virus has now been detected in all regions of the country apart from seven atolls. With nine cases reported, the Male’ region has the highest incidence of swine flu, followed by five in Raa atoll, and two each from Shaviyani, Noonu, Meemu and Dhaal atolls.

Baa, Lhaviyani, Alif Alif, Vaavu, Faafu, Thaa and Gnaviyani atolls have one confirmed case each.

The number of Influenza A cases in the country currently stands at 65.

The swine flu alert is currently at level four with infection being transmitted within the general community but limited to some islands, atoll or province, the health ministry said.

Under level four, the ministry advises travelers to take precautionary measures and defer “non-essential travel, especially for those who are at higher risk of severe illness and when onward travel may result in quarantine”.

A 65-year-old man from Raa atoll Inguraidhoo who died on 18 November became the first casualty of swine flu in the Maldives.

He was the first victim not to have traveled abroad. In a statement to parliament, Health Minister Dr Aiminath Jameel said the victim was believed to have contracted the virus on a visit to Male’ to see off pilgrims to Mecca.

Prior to his death, the six people infected with the virus had traveled abroad and were released after treatment.

The number of deaths from swine flu worldwide has risen to 9,596 deaths in over 200 countries.

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Maldives Minister meets Saudi King at Hajj

The Maldivian Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Baaree has met with the King of Saudi Arabia Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz.

Miadhu reports that Baaree offered Eid greetings to King Abdulluh of behalf of the Maldivian people and president Mohamed Nasheed.

Baaree is currently attending the Hajj with pilgrims from the Maldives, who are currently in Mina. All the Maldives pilgrims are expected to make it to Arafat, he told Miadhu, and should begin to return next week.

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