The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has welcomed the measures introduced by the Saudi Arabian government to safeguard pilgrims in light of the objectives and potential health risks of the Hajj pilgrimage.
In a statement regarding the Saudi-issued circular explaining the health requirements for Hajj pilgrims, the Ministry said the Maldivian government welcomes these measures each year to protect the health of pilgrims and mitigate potential risks, ahead of the Hajj season.
Ensuring the health of the pilgrims is an important step in facilitating a safe Hajj, the Ministry said, adding that Saudi Arabia has emphasised the need for awareness of these measures, as in previous years.
The circular issued by the Saudi authorities outlines the health precautions that pilgrims must follow. It specifies that pilgrims should not:
- Suffer from primary organ failure
- Suffer from neurological or mental illnesses
- Be elderly with dementia
- Be in the last trimester of pregnancy or at risk of delivery at any stage of pregnancy
- Be a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy or biological therapy
- Suffer from infectious diseases affecting public health, such as tuberculosis, haemorrhage, fever.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs thanked Saudi Arabia for its efforts to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the Hajj pilgrimage, which annually draws millions of pilgrims from around the world.
The government is also in discussions with the Saudi authorities to increase the country’s Hajj quota beyond the current 1,000 pilgrims.