President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has revealed the government of Saudi Arabia has granted another 1,000 slots to carry pilgrims for Hajj.
Addressing a press conference held at the President's Office, President Solih said although complaints were filed regarding the allocation of Hajj groups and the distribution of quotas, a report by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has confirmed that no acts of corruption were carried out during the process. However, he revealed Ministry of Islamic Affairs has been instructed to carry out a more transparent process.
Every year, Saudi Arabia allocates 1,000 slots for Maldivians to perform Hajj pilgrimage. However, an additional 1,000 slots are always granted by Saudi Arabia every year. In addition to Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited, 5 groups have been granted permission to carry pilgrims to Hajj.
Hajj Corporation has been allocated opportunity to take 550 pilgrims, 80 of which have been reserved for the use of Islamic ministry. All other groups have been granted permission to take 90 pilgrims each.