Fifty individuals from the national register of underprivileged citizens have been selected to perform the Hajj pilgrimage at government expense next year. The draw to determine the beneficiaries was held at the Islamic Centre on Thursday.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to sponsor 1,000 individuals to perform Hajj during his current presidential term. In line with this commitment, the government-sponsored pilgrims were chosen through a draw held among those on the underprivileged list who have not previously performed the obligatory pilgrimage.
In line with this pledge, the first group of underprivileged citizens, consisting of 50 individuals, were sent on Hajj last year, and another 50 have already undertaken the pilgrimage this year. While 50 individuals have been selected by lottery to perform Hajj at government expense next year, an additional 25 individuals have been designated as alternatives, to take the place of any of the original 50 who may be unable to travel for any reason.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs said 376 individuals on the underprivileged list have not performed the Hajj pilgrimage, and assured that all of them will be given the opportunity to perform Hajj within the current presidential term.
The opportunity to perform Hajj under government sponsorship is provided to eligible individuals from among those registered as underprivileged at the Maldives Zakat House. The Maldives Hajj Corporation is the only authorised entity responsible for sending pilgrims on Hajj, with an annual quota of 1,000 pilgrims.
In addition to sponsoring the underprivileged, the government has amended Hajj regulations to address the long-standing concerns of those who have already paid for their pilgrimage and have been waiting several years for the opportunity to perform it. Under the revised rules, Maldives Hajj Corporation has allocated a specific percentage of the quota for those aged 65 and above who have not yet performed Hajj in their lifetime. Furthermore, individuals aged 75 and above will be allowed to travel with an assistant, depending on their health condition.
The new rules state that a person who has previously performed Hajj will be given an additional opportunity if at least five years have passed since their last pilgrimage.