Dr. Ahmed Ziyad, Minister of Islamic Affairs, said on Sunday that 'the Government aims to ensure that all Maldivians who have made payments for Hajj pilgrimage this year are provided the opportunity to undertake the journey.'
He made the comments on PSM’s Raajje Miadhu programme, at a time when reports suggest that the Saudi Arabian government had cancelled half of the initially agreed 2,000 Hajj quota for the Maldives.
Commenting on the reports, Dr. Ziyad slammed the opposition for what he called “deliberate attempts to tarnish the image and reputation of the Government”.
He condemned the opposition for spreading falsified information with the aim to mislead the public, especially about the Hajj pilgrimage.
Expressing grave concern over the matter, the Islamic Affairs Minister asked media outlets to seek comment from the Ministry prior to publishing such information.
Visa arrangements for prospective-pilgrims will be made over the course of next week, Dr. Ziyad said.
According to the Ministry, it has already received departure dates of pilgrims undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage this year under the care of private Hajj tour organisers.