Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has embarked on a visit to Saudi Arabia with the purpose of formalising an agreement aimed at enhancing the quality of services provided to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims between Maldives and Saudi Arabia.
In addition to signing of the Hajj and Umrah Agreement, Minister Dr. Shaheem will also participate in the Hajj and Umrah Conference. The visit is made upon an invitation extended by Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al Rabiah.
The Hajj and Umrah Conference, an international gathering featuring scientific sessions, workshops, and training seminars, will convene from January 8-11, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The event is set to bring together notable decision-makers, experts, academics, and researchers associated with Hajj and Umrah.
Before departing for Saudi Arabia, Minister Shaheem expressed his intention to visit various institutions during his stay. Additionally, on the sidelines of the conference, he plans to engage with the heads of Islamic institutions from several countries to explore potential technical and financial collaborations in the realm of Islamic affairs.
Highlighting President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's emphasis on improving services for pilgrims and Umrah participants, Minister Shaheem affirmed his commitment to consulting with relevant authorities on this matter.
The Minister further disclosed that meetings with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and its subsidiaries, including the International Fiqh Academy, the Islamic Development Bank, the Islamic Solidarity Fund, and other institutions, are also on the agenda.
Considering the significant number of Maldivians undertaking journeys to Saudi Arabia annually for Umrah and utilising the allocated Hajj quota, Minister Shaheem underscored a pivotal policy shift. The government has decided to exclusively assign the 1,000 Hajj quota to the Hajj Corporation, veering away from previous practices involving both private companies and the Hajj Corporation. Furthermore, the government has resolved to sponsor 50 poor individuals for Hajj this year.