Vice President Faisal Naseem has assured the pilgrims that the government would monitor and support their situation while they are undergoing the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. He made the remarks during his visit to bid farewell to the first batch of Hajj pilgrims at Velana International Airport (VIA).
During his visit, Vice President Naseem met the first batch of 295 pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia this year with the Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited (MHCL) and their family members and inquired about their well-being. He was accompanied by Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir Ali, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) Adam Azim and Managing Director of Male' Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) Hassan Shah. In addition, officials from the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) were also present.
Speaking to PSM News at the airport, Vice President Naseem assured the pilgrims that the government would monitor their situation and wished them a safe journey. He said the government and MHCL will continue working together until the end of the Hajj pilgrimages. He also said that efforts are being made to increase the quota for Hajj pilgrims. In addition, he said the administration arranged transportation for the pilgrims and their families from Malé City, Hulhumalé, and Villingili to VIA. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih appointed Vice President Faisal Naseem as the Amir al-Hajj for 2023.
Meanwhile, Minister Zahir assured the pilgrims that they will not face any difficulties like those encountered during Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages in Ramadan this year. He also said the Maldives Hajj Mission will closely monitor the services provided to the pilgrims.
The government is working to make easy departure arrangements for Hajj pilgrims as in other years. As such, pilgrims and their families will be transported to the Velana International Airport (VIA) and their luggage will be collected in collaboration with the companies. In addition, arrangements have been made for elderly and sick pilgrims and their families to be transported to reach the airport by bus or air-conditioned ferry and for their luggage to be brought to the airport a day before departure.
The Maldives received 1,000 quotas for Hajj this year. Two-thirds of the quota has been given to the MHCL and the rest has been divided among three companies. MHCL will be tasked with facilitating the travel of half of the Maldivian Hajj pilgrims this year while the other half of the quota will be distributed to three other companies. The government decided that the chosen companies will receive 90 slots each in order to facilitate easy and convenient travel for pilgrims.