Ministry of Islamic Affairs has revealed that the members of the Maldives Hajj Mission have departed to Saudi Arabia.
The mission consists of five officials from the Islamic ministry who are tasked with providing assistance to the Maldivians travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage this year. Additionally, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has appointed Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir as the Amir al-Hajj from the Maldives for this year. The Islamic minister will be acting as the head of the pilgrims during the Hajj season.
The Maldives received a quota of 453 for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. 353 of the slots have been reserved for those already in the waiting list of Maldives Hajj Corporation, and pilgrims for the remaining 100 slots were selected in a draw. The pilgrims are scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia on three flights, which are on June 26, June 29, and July 2.
The Islamic ministry has held discussions with the relevant authorities to facilitate the safe transport of Maldivian pilgrims to the airport for their trip to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage. During the meeting, the officials held discussions on setting a schedule to allow the pilgrims to travel to the airport to make their flights on time by facilitating transport vehicles for pilgrims and their handlers for travel within the Greater Male’ Region and providing further assistance at the airport. They also discussed taking precautions against the current weather conditions.