Hajj Waiting List to Expand as More Can Afford Pilgrimage: Shaheem
5 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | ބުދަ 10:54Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has stated that the Hajj waiting list will naturally continue to grow as religious devotion increases and more people gain the financial means to perform the pilgrimage. Emphasizing that long queues are a common phenomenon globally, the Minister noted that countries such as Egypt, Indonesia, and Pakistan have millions of applicants currently awaiting their turn for the Hajj pilgrimage.
The Islamic Minister speaking during Tuesday's session of the People's Majlis. | rayyithunge majlis
Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has stated that the Hajj queue will continue to lengthen as religious devotion grows and increasing prosperity enables more people to seek the pilgrimage.
During Tuesday's parliamentary sitting, Hussain Ziyad, the Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency, noted Minister Shaheem's frequent assertions of a close relationship between the Maldivian and Saudi governments. In light of this, the MP questioned whether there is any realistic hope for an increase in the nation's Hajj quota.
Responding to a question from MP Ziyad, Minister Shaheem stated that a lengthy Hajj queue is a natural occurrence. The Minister further noted that countries such as Egypt, Indonesia, and Pakistan also have Hajj waiting lists numbering in the millions.
Minister Shaheem stated that individuals utilizing their pension funds to pay for Hajj may not necessarily be planning to perform the pilgrimage in the coming year. He noted that some individuals are currently making payments to secure Hajj travel for their children as far as ten years into the future.
Furthermore, Minister Shaheem stated that current challenges faced in performing the Hajj pilgrimage will be resolved, noting that if Hajj quotas are increased for any country, the Maldives will also receive an additional allocation.
The current system is being planned and organized very effectively. Previously, the opportunity to perform Hajj was effectively restricted to the wealthy, leaving the less fortunate with no means to participate. This was due to private companies selling quotas at exorbitant prices; however, that system has now come to an end.Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed
Minister Shaheem highlighted the official visit of the President of the Saudi Arabian Shura Council to the Maldives, noting that a very strong relationship has been established between the two nations.
Minister Shaheem has faced allegations of bypassing the official Hajj queue to grant pilgrimage opportunities to certain individuals at state expense, while those who had already made their payments remained on the waiting list. However, the Minister has denied these accusations, asserting that there has been no undue influence exerted on the Hajj queue.
