Maldives Strengthens Ties with Saudi Arabia in Key Pilgrimage Agreement
Photo: Islamic Ministry
The Maldives has formally ratified the Pilgrims Affairs Agreement for the year 1445 AH with Saudi Arabia, solidifying the commitment between the two nations.
Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Minister of Islamic Affairs, signed the Ratification of Pilgrims Affairs Agreement for the year 1445 AH between Maldives and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. pic.twitter.com/aDO7Y6odR2advertisement
The agreement was officially signed at the Hajj and Umrah Services Exhibition and Conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, and Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdul Fattah bin Suleiman Mashat, represented their respective countries.
During the signing ceremony, Minister Shaheem also inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, specifically addressing the safe travel arrangements for pilgrims to Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.
The visit of Minister Shaheem to Saudi Arabia was at the invitation of Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah. Discussions during the meeting included a request from Minister Shaheem to allow students studying in Saudi Arabia to assist pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj season. Additionally, he sought permission for Maldivian media to cover the Hajj in the local language.
Key points of the meeting also touched upon the potential increase in the country’s Hajj quota and a detailed examination of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s initiatives aimed at streamlining the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage process.
The Hajj pilgrimage for the current year is scheduled to commence on June 15. Notably, Saudi Arabia has allocated 1,000 quotas for the Maldives for the Hajj pilgrimage. In a noteworthy policy shift, the government has decided that the Hajj Corporation will exclusively handle the entire quota, discontinuing the previous practice where private companies were allowed to facilitate Hajj pilgrimages alongside the Hajj Corporation.
Furthermore, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating the Hajj pilgrimage for 50 individuals with serious illnesses, aligning with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to prioritise those with health challenges in the pilgrimage process.
