President bids farewell to the last group of Hajj pilgrims

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, bade farewell to the last batch of Hajj pilgrims travelling to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year.

The last batch of pilgrims left to Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening.

President Solih met with 115 intending pilgrims at the Velana International Airport (VIA) and inquired about their wellbeing.

Speaking with the intending pilgrims, the President advised them to follow the instructions of the officials accompanying them to avoid any incidents. The President also assured them that the administration would keep a close eye on their situation during their pilgrimage, wishing them a "Mabroor Hajj" and a safe journey.

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Ahmed Zahir, joined the President to see off the intending pilgrims. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih appointed Dr. Zahir as the Amir al-Hajj of the Maldives’ pilgrims, on May 31.

A quota was granted by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for 453 Maldivian pilgrims this year, with only Maldives Hajj Corporation being granted the opportunity to send pilgrims for the hajj pilgrimage this year.

In late May, the Maldives Hajj Corporation opened applications for 100 out of the 453 spots. The application window was opened through June 2, and forms were accepted at the meeting hall of the Islamic Center.

The remaining spots are reserved for applicants waitlisted with the corporation.

The price for the hajj pilgrimage this year through Maldives Hajj Corporation has been set at MVR 76,960.

Maldives and the African country, Liberia, gets 453 quotas as per the list publicized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umra of Saudi Arabia.

Maldivians have not taken part in Hajj pilgrimage over the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saudi Arabia eased its restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic and announced that the country would be allowing one million people to perform Hajj this year. As such, the country decided to allow individuals below the age of 65 who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as approved by the Saudi Health Ministry to perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year.

Pilgrims are mandated to provide a PCR test with negative result.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia allowed 1,000 people living in the country to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, in 2020. They allowed 60,000 people to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, in 2021, with the ease in restrictions.