By IANS
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has drafted a new law defining the role of Haj tour operators and providing stricter penalties for violators.
The draft law is awaiting approval of the federal cabinet, Mohammed Mattar Al Kaabi, director-general of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Auqaf (GAIAA), told the reporters, WAM news agency said Monday.
Once approved, the law will stipulate strict penalties, including cancellation of the Haj contractor’s licence, for flouting rules, he added.
Al Kaabi described the draft law as the first of its kind as it will hold responsible the person in-charge of a Haj tour company that indulges in violations, he said.
“We have had many problems with the Haj tour operators, specially regarding their non-commitment to providing services to the pilgrims or those who intended to perform Umrah,” he said.