Maldives could receive additional Hajj quotas if Saudi Arabia increases its overall allocation, said Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.
The Minister said the Maldives maintains close cooperation with Saudi Arabia in matters related to Hajj, adding that any increase in global quotas would likely benefit the country.
He noted that quotas previously allocated to private companies have now been significantly reduced, with the focus shifting towards a more structured and equitable system.
Islamic Minister Shaheem said long waiting lists for Hajj is an issue faced by every country, explaining that the backlog increased after pilgrimage activities were suspended for three years during the COVID-19 pandemic. No quotas were issued in the first two years, while only 400 slots were allocated in the third year.
He said current Hajj arrangements are being managed in an organised manner, with quotas allocated across several categories, including the general public, people over the age of 65, 50 slots allocated for people listed in poor-registry, assistants and official government requirements.
The minister added that it is no longer appropriate to allocate quotas to companies for the same year, noting that the preferred system is for individuals to register and join a queue through payment.
“The government reserves a portion of the quota each year. Previously, 500 quotas were allocated to those in the queue, but now more than 800 are being allocated to citizens along with their assistants,” he said.
He also explained that Saudi Arabia allocates Hajj quotas based on population, typically around 1,000 pilgrims per one million Muslims. Additional quotas are sometimes granted depending on capacity, but these have been limited in recent years due to ongoing development projects in Mecca and Medina.
However, he expressed optimism that once these projects are completed, additional quotas may be made available.
“Additional quotas are not being allocated at present due to development works in Mecca and Medina. High-level discussions are ongoing between the President and the Saudi government,” he said.
Currently, individuals are placed in the Hajj queue after paying 75 per cent of the required fees. Applicants can check their status through the Hajj Corporation website and the 'Faheli' portal.
The Minister added that services provided to Maldivian pilgrims have improved significantly in recent years, including better arrangements in Mina and the use of high-speed trains for travel to Medina.
He noted that, in addition to the fees paid by pilgrims, the government also contributes significantly to ensure the provision of these services.