Male, Maldives (CU)_ Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed met and had conversations with the Maldivian Hajj Pilgrims in the tents of Mina, Saudi Arabia. The President and First Lady inquired about the well-being of the Pilgrims during their interaction. On July 4, 2022, the President and First Lady visited Saudi Arabia to attend this year’s Hajj Pilgrimage. Before their departure, the President of Maldives met and bid farewell to the final group of Hajj Pilgrims from Maldives who were doing the Hajj Pilgrimage. On July 2, the final group of pilgrims departed for Saudi Arabia.
President Solih met 115 intending pilgrims and inquired about their well-being at Velana International Airport (VIA). During the conversation with the would-be pilgrims, the President recommended they adhere to the directions of the accompanying officials in order to prevent any accidents. The President also promised them that the administration would closely monitor their status throughout the pilgrimage, wishing them a “Mabroor Hajj” and a safe trip.
Dr. Ahmed Zahir, Minister of Islamic Affairs, accompanied the President in sending out the pilgrims. On May 31, Dr. Zahir was named as the Amir al-Hajj of the Maldives’ pilgrims by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. This year, a quota of 453 Maldivian pilgrims was allocated by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and only the Maldives Hajj Corporation was permitted to send pilgrims on the hajj pilgrimage. Late in May, the Maldives Hajj Corporation began accepting applications for 100 of the 453 available slots. The application portal was available until June 2, and applications were collected in the Islamic Center’s conference room. The remaining positions are allocated to candidates on the corporation’s waiting list.
This year, the Maldives Hajj Corporation has fixed an MVR 76,960 fee for the hajj trip. According to the list released by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umra, the Maldives and Liberia were given 453 quotas. Owing to the COVID-19 outbreak, Maldivians have not participated in the Hajj trip in the previous two years.
Following the relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictions, Saudi Arabia has announced that one million pilgrims will be permitted to perform Hajj this year. Accordingly, the Kingdom decided to permit devotees under the age of 65 who have been completely immunized against COVID-19, as authorized by the Saudi Ministry of Health, to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage this year. The Pilgrims were required to submit a negative PCR test result.
