Hajj 2025 [Inquiry Report Concludes Islamic Cultural Centre Trust Fund's Wrongdoing]

The Committee of Inquiry, established by the Ministry of Arts and Culture, has released its final report, spanning about forty pages. This document confirms serious irregularities in the visa allocations for Hajj 2025 by the Islamic Cultural Centre Trust Fund (ICCTF), revealing a series of administrative failures, abuses, and falsifications that marred the selection process of Mauritian pilgrims.

The investigation was initially opened in May 2025 following five suspicious cases of fraudulently obtained visas. However, the committee's work quickly uncovered 17 other similar cases, bringing the total confirmed irregularities to over twenty. According to the findings, fictitious registration numbers were assigned to ineligible individuals, sometimes using forged forms and imitated signatures.

The report also highlights a complete lack of internal control, a deficiency in traceability regarding file management, and an outdated registration system still operating on Microsoft Access 2007. Some records were missing, files were easily manipulable, and over 6,000 forms had not even been included in the official database.

In light of these damning findings, the committee directly points to the responsibility of the director of the ICCTF and the Hajj Programme Officer, who are deemed responsible for the inadequate supervision of the process. It recommends submitting the case to the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) for a thorough investigation, as well as a complete reorganization of the institution's operations.

Among other recommendations are the establishment of an online registration system, the creation of standardized procedures for processing applications, and better oversight of Hajj operators, particularly regarding bank guarantee deposits.

The report reminds that the mission of the ICCTF is primarily spiritual and national: to ensure that the pilgrimage to Mecca is conducted with transparency, fairness, and respect for the faithful. "The success of Hajj is not measured by the number of visas issued, but by the integrity of the process that leads to it," the document emphasizes, calling for a deep cleansing to restore pilgrims' trust.

After years of cover-up, the government opts for transparency

In a Facebook post dated October 7, 2025, Minister of Culture Mahen Gondeea emphasizes that "Hajj must always take place with respect, fairness, and transparency." After years of irregularities and cover-ups, the government has chosen to make an independent inquiry into Hajj 2025 public. According to the minister, the complete report has been forwarded to the relevant authorities as well as to the ICCTF board for disciplinary action to be taken.

Director and two employees suspended

Following a board meeting held last Thursday, director Abdool Azize Owasil, Hajj Programme Officer Mohammad Ally Moortooza Boodhoo, and driver Riad Sherif Toofany have been suspended from their positions at the ICC. An ad hoc committee has been established to decide on the next steps in this matter. However, some within the Muslim community believe that sanctions should also be imposed on the board.