Hajj Waitlist Reaches 2043, Says Hajj Corporation

The Maldives Hajj Corporation has announced that, under the current registration queue, a prospective pilgrim who registers now will not be able to perform Hajj until 2043 – a wait of 17 years. The announcement came on the same day that new regulations took effect, allowing funds from Retirement Savings Accounts under the Pension Act to be used for Fard Hajj even after the account holder turns 65. Speaking on PSM's Raaje Maa programme, Abdullah Muaz, Head of Marketing and PR at the Hajj Corporation, clarified that the amendment does not change the queue system. Spots will continue to be allocated on a payment-based system, with the current queue already reaching 2043. According to the Pension Office, eligible members must not have previously performed Fard Hajj and must have at least MVR 336,000 in their Retirement Savings Account. Members must pay 20 percent of the Hajj travel cost to the Hajj Corporation and submit the remainder to the Pension Office, which will invest the funds without accruing interest until they are transferred to the Hajj Corporation. The Saudi government grants the Maldives an annual Hajj quota of 1,000 people, contributing to the lengthy wait.