President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed have traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. They are travelling to Saudi Arabia on an unofficial visit.
President Solih has been closely monitoring the travel and accommodation procedures of the Maldivian Hajj pilgrims, and had met with the last group of pilgrims at Velana International Airport (VIA) prior to their departure. The Hajj pilgrimage is expected to begin on July 7.
Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir Ali has also departed to Saudi Arabia with his spouse for the Hajj pilgrimage. President Solih appointed Minister Zahir as the Amir al-Hajj from the Maldives for this year. Every year, the president appoints a senior state official to act as the head of the pilgrims during the Hajj season.
The Maldives received a quota of 453 for the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Of the total quota, 353 of the slots were reserved for those already on the waiting list of Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited (MHCL), and pilgrims for the remaining 100 slots were selected in a draw. The Maldives Hajj Mission has informed that all Maldivian pilgrims have arrived in the Gulf kingdom and are in good health.
The Saudi government has announced that one million people will be allowed in the country to perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year, following the removal of COVID-19 restrictions. The amount is less than half of the 2.5 million people that were previously allowed to enter Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia stated pilgrims to Mecca this year must be under age 65 and fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Pilgrims from abroad will be allowed this year but must present a recent negative COVID-19 PCR test, and health precautions will be observed.