President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has traveled to the Holy City of Medina where he visited Masjid Al-Nabawi, Islam’s second holiest site.
During the visit, President Solih was accompanied by the Assistant General President for the Affairs of the Prophet's Mosque, Dr. Muhammad Al-Khudairi, as well as Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed and Chief of Staff at the President’s Office Ali Zahir.
President Solih and First Lady Fazna traveled to Saudi Arabia on an unofficial visit to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. The president is closely monitoring the travel and accommodation procedures of the Maldivian Hajj pilgrims.
Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir Ali has also traveled to Saudi Arabia with his spouse for the Hajj pilgrimage. President Solih appointed Minister 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 Maldives received a quota of 453 for the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Of the total quota, 353 of the slots were reserved for those already on the waiting list of Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited (MHCL), and pilgrims for the remaining 100 slots were selected in a draw. The Maldives Hajj Mission has informed that all Maldivian pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia and are in good health.
The Saudi government has announced that one million people will be allowed in the country to perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year, following the removal of COVID-19 restrictions. The amount is less than half of the 2.5 million people that were previously allowed to enter Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia stated pilgrims to Mecca this year must be under age 65 and fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Pilgrims from abroad will be allowed this year but must present a recent negative COVID-19 PCR test, and health precautions will be observed.