Maldivian pilgrims currently undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia are in good health and high spirits.

The Maldivian pilgrims are in good health at Arafat. This stage, known as Wuquf at Arafat, represents the pinnacle of the Hajj and is a fundamental requirement for the pilgrimage to be valid.

According to updates from the Maldivian Hajj Mission, no serious health concerns have been reported among the group.

All pilgrims arrived in Mina late last night, where comprehensive arrangements have been made for their stay. 

Pilgrims will remain in Arafat throughout the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, observing one of the most essential rites of the pilgrimage. Islamic tradition holds that those who are not present in Arafat before sunset on that day are not deemed to have completed Hajj.

After sunset, pilgrims will make their way to Muzdalifah, where they will spend the night under the open sky, as is customary. There, they will collect pebbles in preparation for the ritual stoning of the Jamarat.

The next phase involves returning to Mina to perform the symbolic stoning of the largest pillar, Jamrat al-Aqaba, an act commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s rejection of Satan’s temptation. This will be followed by the ritual animal sacrifice, known as Hadyu, marking the completion of the major rites of Hajj.

Pilgrims will then continue with other obligatory acts, including the Tawaf al-Ifadah - a circumambulation of the Kaaba - along with the Sa’i, which involves walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa, in remembrance of Hagar’s search for water for her son, Ismail.

The Hajj will conclude with the Tawaf al-Wada’, or farewell circumambulation, performed before departing Mecca.

This year, 1,000 Maldivians have travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.