First Group of Maldivian Hajj Pilgrims Departs for Saudi Arabia Under Makkah Route Initiative

The first group of Maldivian pilgrims traveling to perform this year’s Hajj pilgrimage has officially departed for Saudi Arabia.

The group departed at approximately 15:34 on a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight carrying 238 pilgrims and is expected to arrive at Jeddah Airport at approximately 20:34 Maldives time.

To bid farewell to the departing pilgrims, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, and the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the Maldives, H.E Yahya Hassan Alqahti, visited Velana International Airport.

As in previous years, the government arranged convenient transportation services for pilgrims traveling from both Malé and Hulhumalé to the airport.

While the first group departed today, additional groups of pilgrims are scheduled to depart on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of this month.

Similar to last year, Maldivian pilgrims are departing for Makkah after completing all Saudi immigration procedures in the Maldives under the Makkah Route Initiative.

All arrangements to receive and facilitate the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia have now been finalized.