Vice President Faisal Naseem has returned from Saudi Arabia after performing this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

The President’s Office revealed that VP Naseem returned to Malé City after concluding his trip to Mecca, Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, on Tuesday morning.

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir Ali, who accompanied the vice president during the trip, also returned on Tuesday morning after performing this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

The groups of Maldivian Hajj pilgrims who are in Mecca for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage are scheduled to return home from July 7 onwards.

As such, the group that went through Al-Manasik Hajj and Umrah Group will return on July 7, with a batch who traveled through Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited scheduled to fly home the same day as well.

Another batch who traveled through Maldives Hajj Corporation will be flying home on July 10, followed by the group who left through Sisilfaru Hajj and Umrah group scheduled to return the next day.

On July 11, a batch of pilgrims who traveled through Al Haramain Hajj and Umrah Company will return as well. Their next batch will arrive on July 12.

The third batch of Maldivian Hajj pilgrims who traveled through Maldives Hajj Corporation will return on July 14.

VP Naseem left to Mecca to perform the Hajj pilgrimage on June 22.

VP Naseem met with the community of Maldivian students in Madinah, Saudi Arabia during the visit. At the meeting, VP Naseem inquired from the students about the progress of their studies and discussed other issues related to their education.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih appointed the vice president as the Amir al-Hajj for 2023.

As the Amir al-Hajj, VP Naseem was tasked with ensuring the smooth and safe operation of pilgrimage of Maldivian pilgrims, including their travel and stay in Saudi Arabia.

The government made special transport arrangements to the airport for the Hajj pilgrims as well as their families from Malé, Hulhumalé and Villingili this year, as the administration accorded a high priority to the secure and smooth conduct of the Hajj pilgrimage. Hence all necessary actions were taken to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims.

The first batch of Maldivian pilgrims that performed Hajj pilgrimage this year, departed on June 12. They were seen off at VIA by VP Naseem.

The last batch of Maldivian pilgrims departed on June 19. The final group was seen off at VIA by President Solih.

Maldives was allocated a quota of 1,000 pilgrims this year.

The opportunity to send pilgrims for Hajj pilgrimage this year 1444 was given to three private companies alongside Maldives Hajj Corporation.