Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir Ali has stated that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has requested the government of Saudi Arabia to increase the quota of the Maldives to 2,500 slots for the Hajj pilgrimage this year. The Saudi government officially allocates 1,000 slots to the Maldives for the Hajj pilgrimage each year based on the country’s population.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Zahir said President Solih is personally involved in negotiating the Hajj quota with the Saudi government and expressed confidence that it would be increased to 2,500 slots. He noted that the Saudi government has on previous occasions agreed to increase the quota for the Maldives and that there is a high chance that the quota would be increased by the month of Ramadan, as the Saudi government has already allocated the official quota of 1,000 slots to the Maldives.
Hajj Corporation Limited will be tasked with facilitating the travel of half of the Maldivian Hajj pilgrims this year while the other half of the quota will be distributed to three other companies. The Islamic ministry is currently accepting proposals from companies interested in facilitating the travel of Hajj pilgrims. The chosen companies will receive 90 slots each in order to facilitate easy and convenient travel for pilgrims.