All of the Maldivian pilgrims attending this year’s Hajj pilgrimage have arrived safely in Saudi Arabia.
The pilgrims began their departure on August 15. The last group -- 193 pilgrims travelling with Sisilfaru Hajj Group -- departed Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking to Vnews on Wednesday, President of the Maldives Hajj Mission Ali Shareef, who is currently in Mecca, said that all of the Maldivian pilgrims were received at Jeddah airport around night-time. He added that they are in good health.
He also commended the accommodations arranged for the pilgrims by their respective Hajj groups. As such, he noted that they were booked at hotels close to the holy site, hence making it easier to travel.
“There were no complaints, no issues or difficulties,” he said. “So far, everything is proceeding smoothly.”
This was corroborated by organizers of the Maldivian Hajj groups who have traveled to Saudi Arabia. Zaee Hajj Group’s Operation Manager Abdulla Hilmy praised the Saudi Arabian government and the Maldives Hajj Mission for their part in arranging accommodations.
He also noted that the 200 pilgrims traveling with the group will also have the opportunity to visit some of Mecca’s heritage sites, as well as several other important venues.
Out of the 2,000 Maldivians attending their pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, only the 500 pilgrims traveling with the State-owned Hajj Corporation are currently in neighboring Medina. While the remaining pilgrims are in Mecca at the moment, Zaee Hajj Group is preparing to head to Medina on Wednesday, with the remaining groups to follow suit later on.
The Saudi Arabian government has reserved a quota of 2,000 for Maldives this year. Half of the quota is reserved for Hajj Corporation, while the remaining 1,000 are distributed equally among 5 private companies permitted by the government. These 5 companies are Mina Hajj and Umra, Sisilfaru Hajj and Umra Group, Al-Haramaini Hajj and Umra Company, Acro Pvt. Ltd., as well as Zaee Hajj Group.
The President appointed Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, as the head of this year’s Maldivian Hajj pilgrims.