Saudi Arabia decides to include Maldives in Makkah Route Initiative
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided to include Maldives in the Makkah Route Initiative, allowing Maldivian pilgrims to complete immigration procedures for both countries at their home country's airport before departure
Hajj pilgrims embark on their journey
The Islamic Ministry of Maldives has announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided to include Maldives in the Makkah Route Initiative this year.
The Makkah Route Initiative allows pilgrims to complete immigration procedures for both countries at their home country's airport before departure. As a result, pilgrims can proceed directly to their hotels without waiting at Jeddah Airport's immigration. Pilgrims' luggage will also be delivered directly to their hotels. The process of traveling from the airport to the hotel will also be simplified.
According to the Islamic Ministry, this is a historically significant convenience for Maldivian pilgrims. The ministry stated that the government of Saudi Arabia has so far offered this opportunity to countries with the highest number of pilgrims, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan.
The ministry stated that this opportunity for the Maldives reflects the brotherly bond that Saudi Arabia feels towards the Maldivian people.
The Makkah Route Initiative is an initiative included in Saudi Vision 2030, implemented by the Saudi government under their Hajj Ministry and Interior Ministry since 2018. The project aims to provide ease and convenience for pilgrims.
Services that will be facilitated for Maldivian pilgrims with the implementation of the Makkah Route Initiative:
- Collection of pilgrims' biometric data, facilitation of electronic Hajj visas, and confirmation of health measures and safety precautions taken for pilgrims.
- Tagging and registering luggage under pilgrims' names, and immediate issuance of boarding passes at the pilgrim departure terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA).
- Completion of all entry procedures for Saudi Arabia through the passport team at the specially designated terminal at the airport under the Makkah Route Initiative, allowing pilgrims to proceed directly to their departure gates for Jeddah or Madinah without delays.
- Establishment of a system under the Makkah Route Initiative that allows pilgrims to go directly to their designated hotels upon arrival at the pilgrim terminal in Saudi Arabia airports.
- Direct delivery of pilgrims' luggage to their hotels under the initiative, eliminating the need for pilgrims to wait at the arrival terminal for their luggage.
Minister of Islamic Affairs of Maldives Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for extending this opportunity to the Maldivian people. He also conveyed his appreciation to the Saudi Minister of Hajj, Dr. Tawfiq Rabiah, and the Minister of Interior, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Saud, for their support and contributions.
The minister also expressed gratitude to the Saudi Arabian Embassy in the Maldives and the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs for their assistance in the ministry's efforts to complete this process.
The Islamic Ministry officially requested to include the Maldives in the Makkah Route two months ago, following numerous consultations with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj.
