Maldives will be included if Hajj quotas are raised for countries: Minister Shaheem

The Maldives is confident it will be included in the list of countries whose Hajj quotas are increased when Saudi Arabia decides to raise them, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said today. Speaking at a press conference held today by the Islamic Ministry and the Hajj Corporation, in answer to a journalist's question about increasing the Hajj quota, the Minister said matters concerning the quota are decided by the Saudi government. The Minister said that since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saudi government has not increased the quota for any country. He said that through the government, and in his capacity as a minister, he will convey to Saudi authorities the level of the Maldives' need for the Hajj quota. "I am confident, God willing, that when a quota is increased for countries, the Maldives will be included in that list. That is because the relevant Saudi Arabian authorities maintain a very close relationship with the Maldives in matters of Hajj and Umrah worship," Minister Shaheem said. The Minister also noted that those who travelled for Hajj over the past two years via the Malé route would know the relief it brings: landing at the airport and going to the hotel without stopping at Jeddah airport. He said the previous need to wait for hours at Jeddah airport has now come to an end, and that this is a very big relief. "Just as they land at the airport and go to the hotel without stopping at Jeddah airport — that is a very big relief… the Maldives being included in it is something that symbolises the brotherhood Saudi Arabia sees with the Maldives," Minister Shaheem said. Meanwhile, the government has decided to give the opportunity to perform Hajj in the upcoming year 1448 to all those above 70 years of age who have paid the money for Hajj and who have been in the Hajj queue for three years since obtaining a place. The ministry said the decision was made in view of the number of the Hajj quota the Maldives receives, with a large number of elderly people in the queue and extreme concern that they might not get the chance to perform Hajj after paying the money and having to wait for a long period.