Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali has revealed that the new administration is considering allocating the entire quota for the Hajj pilgrimage to the Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited to solve the issue of some companies imposing high charges when facilitating the travel of pilgrims.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Shaheem said that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has initiated discussions to raise the Hajj quota from 1,000 to 2,000, which aligns with his commitment to increasing the number of individuals eligible for the Hajj pilgrimages and enhancing activities related to Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. He said that immediate decisions on increasing the quota were beyond the government's control but that President Muizzu has held discussions with Saudi Arabia, raising hopes for a positive outcome.
Additionally, Minister Shaheem said the government will also focus on addressing the issue of high charges associated with Hajj pilgrimage quotas. He shared details of the ongoing discussions about potential solutions, including the possibility of transferring all responsibilities to the Hajj Corporation instead of relying on private companies. He said that it will streamline operations in accordance with the administration's guidelines. He highlighted that out of the current 1,000 Hajj quotas in the Maldives, a significant portion is already allocated to the Hajj Corporation. He noted that 270 slots of the quota were assigned to three companies this year. He, however, said that private companies will still be allowed to facilitate Umrah pilgrimages in the future.
In a further commitment to strengthening the Hajj Corporation, Minister Shaheem pledged technical support to enhance its operational efficiency. He also expressed his dedication to collaborating with relevant authorities to propose positive changes that would strengthen the company's operations.