The final group of Maldivian pilgrims travelling for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage has departed for Saudi Arabia, completing the outbound travel arrangements for Maldivian pilgrims undertaking Hajj this year.

A total of 253 pilgrims travelled on the final flight, which departed from the Maldives at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday. The departure follows the earlier travel of three groups of pilgrims who had already arrived in Makkah ahead of the Hajj period.

The third group of pilgrims departed on Monday evening aboard a Saudia flight and was received in Saudi Arabia by officials of the Maldivian Hajj Mission and Maldives Hajj Corporation. 

This year, Maldivian pilgrims are once again travelling under the Makkah Route Initiative, which allows pilgrims to complete immigration procedures before departing from the Maldives, helping ease arrival and travel arrangements in Saudi Arabia. The initiative has continued to streamline the Hajj travel process for pilgrims from the Maldives.

The Government has stated that efforts were made this year to further improve services provided to Maldivian pilgrims. Relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the Maldivian Hajj Mission and Hajj Corporation, have been coordinating arrangements related to travel, accommodation and support services for pilgrims during the Hajj season.

The Maldives receives an annual Hajj quota of 1,000 pilgrims.