Senior delegates from Saudi Arabia have begun arriving in the Maldives for the official launch of the Makkah Route Initiative for Maldivian Hajj pilgrims.
One of the delegations arrived on Friday afternoon who were welcomed at the Velana International Airport (VIA) by the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed and officials of the Saudi Embassy in Maldives.
The delegation includes senior officials from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj, Saudi Immigration, Saudi Foreign Ministry and the Mecca Route Initiative. A total of 42 senior officials from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj, Foreign Ministry and Immigration are scheduled to attend the ceremony.
Minister Dr Shaheem said the delegation is led by Lt. Gen. Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya, Chairman of the Mecca Route Initiative Committee and Advisor to the Saudi Interior Minister.
The Makkah Route Initiative will be officially launched for Maldivian Hajj pilgrims during a ceremony on 26 May by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
Minister Shaheem said that Maldives was included in the Mecca Route Initiative under a special directive of the Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The Minister said that with the launch, pilgrims will not have to wait to clear Immigration and baggage collection at Jeddah airport. Pilgrims can disembark and go directly to the hotel where their luggage will be delivered directly to the hotel, he said.
Saudi Arabia decided to include the Maldives in the Makkah Route Initiative on 10 May. The Makkah Route Initiative is scheduled to commence on 26 May, aligning with the departure of the first batch of Maldivian pilgrims for Hajj.
This special initiative, launched under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, is designed to streamline travel and immigration procedures for pilgrims, providing a smoother and more convenient Hajj experience from the point of departure.
According to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the inclusion of the Maldives in the Makkah Route Initiative reflects the strong and growing bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and the Maldives. It also marks a significant milestone achieved under the leadership of President Dr Muizzu, further strengthening the nation’s Islamic and diplomatic engagements.
Benefits of the Makkah Route Initiative for Pilgrims
- * Ensures that biometric data of the pilgrims is collected, electronic pilgrimage visas are issued and the necessary health and safety measures are taken.
- * At Velana International Airport, the luggage of pilgrims will be tagged at the departure terminal, registered and boarding passes will be issued immediately.
- * Through the terminal's special passport team, all necessary arrangements for entry into Saudi Arabia will be completed before the pilgrims leave their country.
- * Upon arrival at the designated terminal at the Saudi Arabia airport, arrange for immediate transfer to the hotel arranged for the pilgrims.
- * Without waiting at the arrival terminal, the luggage will be delivered directly to the hotel where the pilgrims are staying.