Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir Ali has departed to Saudi Arabia with his spouse for the Hajj pilgrimage.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih appointed Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir as the Amir al-Hajj from the Maldives for this year. Every year, the president appoints a senior state official to act as the head of the pilgrims during the Hajj season. The Hajj pilgrimage is expected to begin on July 7.
Additionally, President Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed are scheduled to depart to Saudi Arabia on July 4 to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. They are travelling to Saudi Arabia on an unofficial visit.
The Maldives received a quota of 453 for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The Maldives Hajj Mission has informed that all Maldivian pilgrims have arrived in the Gulf kingdom and are in good health.