Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir Ali has stated that the state budget was not utilised for the Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited to facilitate Hajj pilgrimages in 2019. He made the remark in a letter to the Parliament of the Maldives.
In the letter, Minister Zahir said that Hajj Corporation spent USD2.2 million to book 28 days at a hotel in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and spent USD227,000 to book two days at a hotel in Medina for Maldivian Hajj pilgrims in 2019. He also said that USD1 million was spent on guiding and taking care of pilgrims, adding that none of the expenses was covered by the state budget.
The Maldives received 2,000 slots to facilitate Hajj pilgrimages in 2019. Hajj Corporation was given 500 slots while the rest was split into six companies. Some pilgrims were sent to Saudi Arabia under the quota reserved by the Islamic ministry after one group failed to facilitate their trips.