Over-65 Hajj applicants who have paid can go with one family member: Firzul

The Maldives Hajj Corporation has said that people over 65 who have paid money for Hajj will get the opportunity to travel for Hajj 1448 with one member of their family, according to Managing Director Mohamed Firzul Abdulla Khaleel. Speaking on state media PSM's "Raajje Miadhu" programme, Firzul said the government had earlier decided to give priority to people over 65, and that within that age group priority is given to the oldest applicants. The government has now decided that, in prioritising Hajj pilgrims for 1448, it will consider those over 70, he said. Firzul said the quota previously estimated for people aged between 65 and 69 for Hajj 1448 will not be delayed. If those people have paid money and have paid to go with family members, the place will be maintained as previously estimated. However, if one family has three or four people who have paid, only one member of that family will get a place with the over-65 person, in order to give equal opportunity. "Within the priority system, opportunity will be included with equality. The government has decided to give opportunity in a way that all people receive equality. Thus it is appropriate that three or four family members have paid. However, opportunity will be given to any one member of the family," Firzul said. Firzul said that when a person over 65 and one family member get the opportunity, that place will be maintained without delay. Under the new policy formulated by the government, 324 people who have been in the Hajj queue for three years and are over 70 have now been decided to be given the Hajj opportunity. In this regard, age 70 completion and the queue duration will be considered as of the end of 31 December this year, the Hajj Corporation said. In addition, people over 75 will be able to take a helper when going for Hajj under the policy, the corporation said. Noting that long waiting times in the queue mean people grow older and the number requiring helpers increases, which reduces the number of places available from the general queue, Firzul said the policy has been formulated to give equal opportunity to all parties without discrimination. From next year, Hajj pilgrims will be able to receive medical check-ups within a stable system without having to spend from their own pockets, the managing director said.