Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited (MHC) has sent out invitations to locals on this year’s Hajj pilgrimage list.
The invitations are sent out based on the order of the Hajj pilgrimage list.
Speaking on PSM News' “Raajje Miadhu” programme, Hajj Corporation Managing Director Ahmed Shakeel said the invitations have been sent out to those who have the opportunity to perform the sacred pilgrimage this year.
Some of them have been already informed that they are unable to perform the pilgrimage this year, Shakeel said, adding that such slots will be given to the next person on the list.
Shakeel said the government is already working on improving the experience of Maldivian pilgrims based on the issues flagged last year.
In that regard, local officials will meet and discuss possible solutions and improvements with Saudi Arabian officials during the Hajj Conference scheduled for next week, he said.
Shakeel said the administrative preparations for this year's Hajj have already begun, adding that the Hajj Corporation and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs are working together in the arrangements.
“We are taking measures to avoid the situation pilgrims faced in Mina last year,” he said.
Maldives receives a Hajj quota of 1,000 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia every year. This Administration has now dedicated the entire 1,000 quota to the State owned Hajj Corporation to make the pilgrimage affordable to the people.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to send 1,000 people without financial means to Hajj on State funds during his five year term. True to his presidential pledge, the State has sponsored 50 Hajj pilgrims during the first year of President Muizzu’s term.
President Muizzu has also announced the decision to revise the present Hajj quota policy to give precedence to first time pilgrims, giving renewed hope for the people on the long wait list.
The decision was taken to revise the policy to offer a solution for the long list of people waiting to perform the sacred Hajj pilgrimage for the first time.
According to the Hajj Corporation, there are currently 9,115 people on the waiting list for Hajj pilgrimage. Of these, 7,543 are under 65 years of age, 1,461 are between 65 and 75 years of age and 111 are over 75.
There are 8,623 people seeking their first Hajj pilgrimage on the waiting list, which includes 7,150 under 65, 1,370 between 65 and 75 and 103 over 75 years.
President Dr Muizzu has set sights on clearing the entire backlog of people waiting to perform the sacred pilgrimage before the end of his five year term. Make the pilgrimage more convenient and affordable for Maldivians.
The government has been in discussions with its Saudi Arabian counterparts to increase the annual Hajj quota available to the Maldives.