214 pilgrims departed to Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, to join this year's Hajj pilgrimage.
According to Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited, its first batch, a total of 214 pilgrims departed to Mecca on Tuesday.
While a total of 1,000 pilgrims are to depart for Hajj from Maldives this year, 700 are under the care of the Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited. The company said that their last flight carrying pilgrims will depart on the 11th of August.
The three other agencies who have the Islamic Ministry's authorization to send pilgrims are; Al-Haramain Hajj and Umra Group, Sisilifaru Hajj and Umra Group and Zaee Hajj Group. All three have the authorization for 100 pilgrims.
The last group of pilgrims will depart on August 23.
The Hajj pilgrimage 2017 is expected to take place between August 30 and September 4. The fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj is the largest annual religious gathering of people in the world.
