The Saudi government has decided to make the Mecca Route Initiative a permanent arrangement for Maldivian pilgrims.
According to the Islamic Ministry, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed met with the Supervisory Committee of the Saudi Mecca Route Initiative on Tuesday. The committee officially announced that Maldives will continue to benefit from the service on a permanent basis.
Under the Mecca Route Initiative, pilgrims complete immigration procedures at their departure airport before leaving their home country. This allows them to bypass immigration queues upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. Luggage is delivered directly to their hotel, and transportation from the airport is streamlined.
Maldives first participated in the initiative during the last Hajj season, with the arrangement facilitated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The Saudi government praised the cooperation of Maldivian institutions, including the airport, customs, immigration, Maldives Hajj Corporation, aviation security, and the public.
The meeting was attended by officials from Saudi Arabia’s Ministries of Hajj, Foreign Affairs, Aviation, Immigration, and Interior. The Islamic Ministry noted that Maldives had formally requested inclusion in the initiative in March this year, following extensive discussions with Saudi authorities.
Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Expresses Gratitude to Saudia for Continued Support to Maldivian Pilgrimshttps://t.co/1fZ6GePysU pic.twitter.com/cp4fPtQ3Fi
— Ministry of Islamic Affairs (@MVIaffairs) November 10, 2025
The Mecca Route Initiative is part of Saudi Vision 2030 and has been implemented since 2018 under the Ministry of Hajj and the Ministry of Interior.