Ministry of Islamic Affairs has revealed that over 4,000 pilgrims from the Maldives went on the Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in November and December 2022.
The Islamic ministry stated that November and December coincide with the school holidays every year. Many organisations facilitated Umrah pilgrimages for Maldivians during this period. A total of 4,403 pilgrims went for the Umrah pilgrimage in the two months and the condition of the pilgrims during this period was generally good, according to the ministry.
Additionally, the ministry gave permission to 43 organisations to facilitate Umrah pilgrimages. On average, groups took between 150 and 200 individuals to Saudi Arabia which is the highest number of pilgrims since the COVID-19 outbreak.
Saudi Arabia has relaxed the visas issued to people from various countries around the world after the pandemic. Facilities have been provided for those who wish to go to Umrah to obtain visas through online resources. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia has issued visas to four million people in the past five months.