Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has stated that efforts are underway to arrange travel for Maldivians seeking to perform Umrah following disruptions caused by recent flight cancellations.

In a message shared with the media on Wednesday night, the minister said President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has instructed authorities to find a solution to facilitate the departure of Umrah pilgrims whose travel plans were affected due to the cancellation of flights transiting through several countries.

According to the minister, the initiative is being coordinated jointly by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Maldives Hajj Corporation and the national airline Maldivian. He noted that 150 pilgrims have been identified so far as seeking to travel for Umrah under the current arrangements.

Minister Dr Shaheem explained that authorities are exploring the possibility of chartering a special flight to accommodate the pilgrims. If such a flight is arranged, additional seats may also be made available for other individuals wishing to travel for Umrah.

He added that the limited timeframe presents logistical challenges, but efforts are ongoing to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

The minister also expressed appreciation to President Dr Muizzu for directing relevant institutions to address the issue and thanked Maldivian and Maldives Hajj Corporation for their cooperation in facilitating the arrangements.