Ministry of Islamic Affairs has facilitated free transport to Velana International Airport (VIA) for families and individuals receiving pilgrims returning home from Hajj.
A total of 453 Maldivians travelled to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. The pilgrims are set to return to the Maldives on three flights, scheduled to arrive on July 20, 23 and 27.
The Islamic ministry revealed free bus service has been arranged for families and individuals going to the airport to receive returning pilgrims. The ministry revealed the buses will travel to the airport from four bus stops across Male’ and Hulhumale’ between 0945hrs and 1030hrs, while returning buses will be operated between 1100hrs and 1200hrs. However, the ministry noted the buses have limited luggage capacity, and therefore individuals would have to make their own arrangements to carry luggage.
The government has been closely monitoring the travel and accommodation arrangements of Maldivians who travelled for the Hajj pilgrimage. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed also went on the Hajj pilgrimage and met with Maldivian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. This was the first time in recent history that a president had met with Maldivians during their pilgrimage.
The Saudi government allowed one million people in the country to perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year, following the removal of COVID-19 restrictions. The amount is less than half of the 2.5 million people that were previously allowed to enter Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.