President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Saajidha Mohamed on Monday officially inaugurated the Makkah Route Initiative for Maldives Hajj pilgrims.
Under a directive from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Maldives has been granted an exemption from standard eligibility criteria, allowing the country to participate in the programme.
President Dr Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha inaugurated the initiative during a special ceremony held at Velana International Airport (VIA) with Lieutenant General Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya, Chairman of Saudi Arabia's Makkah Route Initiative Committee and Advisor to the Saudi Minister of Interior along with senior officials from the Saudi Hajj Ministry, Immigration and the Foreign Ministry in attendance.
As part of the official inauguration, President Dr Muizzu presented the passport to the first pilgrim utilising the Makkah Route Initiative, while the First Lady presented the passport to the second pilgrim followed by Al-Yahya presenting the third and Saudi Charge d'Affaires to the Maldives Fahad Aldosari with the fourth.
After the ceremony, the President and First Lady met with local Hajj pilgrims departing to Saudi on Monday.
Saudi Arabia decided to include the Maldives in the Makkah Route Initiative on 10 May. The Makkah Route Initiative is scheduled to commence on 26 May, aligning with the departure of the first batch of Maldivian pilgrims for Hajj.
This special initiative, launched under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, is designed to streamline travel and immigration procedures for pilgrims, providing a smoother and more convenient Hajj experience from the point of departure.
According to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the inclusion of the Maldives in the Makkah Route Initiative reflects the strong and growing bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and the Maldives. It also marks a significant milestone achieved under the leadership of President Dr Muizzu, further strengthening the nation’s Islamic and diplomatic engagements.
Benefits of the Makkah Route Initiative for Pilgrims
- Ensures that biometric data of the pilgrims is collected, electronic pilgrimage visas are issued and the necessary health and safety measures are taken.
- At Velana International Airport, the luggage of pilgrims will be tagged at the departure terminal, registered and boarding passes will be issued immediately.
- Through the terminal's special passport team, all necessary arrangements for entry into Saudi Arabia will be completed before the pilgrims leave their country.
- Upon arrival at the designated terminal at the Saudi Arabia airport, arrange for immediate transfer to the hotel arranged for the pilgrims.
- Without waiting at the arrival terminal, the luggage will be delivered directly to the hotel where the pilgrims are staying.