The final group of Hajj pilgrims in Mecca for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage has returned home.

The final group was welcomed back at Velana International Airport (VIA), by Vice President Faisal Naseem.

The final group to return home from Saudi Arabia traveled through the Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited.

290 pilgrims returned home in the final group.

Welcoming the pilgrims back home, VP Naseem inquired from them regarding their travel as well as experience.

The first group of Maldivian Hajj pilgrims, who traveled through Al-Manasik Hajj and Umrah Group, returned home on July 7. The second batch arrived later the same day; they traveled through Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited.

Another batch who travelled through Maldives Hajj Corporation flew home on July 10, followed by the group who left through Sisilfaru Hajj and Umrah group on July 11. The same day, a batch of pilgrims who travelled through Al Haramain Hajj and Umrah Company returned home. Their next batch arrived on July 12.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih appointed Vice President Faisal Naseem 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 who 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.