Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir Ali has met with the Maldivian pilgrims who are in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage.
Islamic Minister Zahir was appointed as the Amir al-Hajj by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. As the head of Maldivian pilgrims, the Islamic minister met with the pilgrims at their hotel to check on their conditions and arrangements.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed are also in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. Prior to their departure, the president and first lady met with the last group of Maldivian pilgrims at Velana International Airport (VIA) on July 3.
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 the Gulf kingdom 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.