Hajj corruption allegation: Committee high-ups summoned tomorrow

The Presidential Investigation Unit has summoned Muslim Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary, R.M.D.B. Meegasmulla and Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Department Director, M.R.M. Malik on Thursday at 9.00 a.m. to inquire into allegations of corruption in Hajj quotas, sources said.

On June 25,All Ceylon Hajj Organisation (ACHO) Vice President, Dr. M.S.M. Mohammad and 55 Hajj operators had lodged a complaint that the Hajj/ Umrah Committee, attached to the Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Department, was involved in laundering money amounting to Rs 86.4 million. The Presidential Investigation Unit that probed the matter had recorded statements from Hajj agents.

Earlier, Hajj agents levelled charges against the committee for violating directives made by the Supreme Court on criteria and guidelines for

Earlier, Hajj agents levelled charges against the committee for violating directives made by the Supreme Court on criteria and guidelines for the pilgrimage

the pilgrimage. They had also complained that though some 20,000 pilgrims were currently in the Hajj Committee’s waiting list, many of them were deprived of their pilgrimage because relevant officials had given the opportunity to outsiders who bribed them.

Hajj agents staged a protest against the Hajj/ Umrah Committee on July 3 outside the Muslim Religious Affairs Ministry. Meanwhile, ACHO is to file a lawsuit against the said committee for violating set guidelines by collecting Rs.25,000 from pilgrims.