President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has thanked the Royal Government of Saudi Arabia for the excellent arrangements made for Hajj pilgrims. The president expressed his gratitude in a letter sent to the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
In the letter presented to the Crown Prince, President Dr. Muizzu prayed that the Muslim Ummah upholds the principles of compassion, generosity, and unity that characterize the significant period of Hajj, and that Almighty Allah blesses the Ummah with mutual understanding, harmony, and peace.
Furthermore, the president extended heartfelt felicitations and best wishes to the Crown Prince, the Royal Government, and the residents of Saudi Arabia on the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Adha. He concluded his letter by wishing the Crown Prince good health and well-being, and continued happiness and welfare for the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia.
This year, 1,150 people from the Maldives have travelled to Mecca for Hajj. Among them are 50 pilgrims sent under the presidential promise to send 1,000 people from the poor register to Hajj within five years, with their expenses covered by the government. Additionally, Maldives Hajj Corporation said that the arrangements for the Hajj pilgrimage this year were remarkably better than previous years, appreciating the priority given by President Dr. Muizzu to enhance the arrangements and facilities provided to the pilgrims.
Unlike previous years, arrangements were made for all Hajj pilgrims to be accommodated in the same hotel. The meal arrangements were also significantly enhanced, resulting in the availability of Maldivian food items for the pilgrims during their stay at Mina and Arafat.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is an obligatory act of worship for all Muslims who are capable of performing Hajj. The pilgrimage is one of the world's largest religious acts of worship, with over 1.8 million people.