The Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments has said that more than 4,000 Maldivians travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah during July, with the number of pilgrims increasing during the school holiday period.

The ministry said all Maldivian pilgrims who travelled for Umrah during the month were in good health. It noted that the number of Maldivians undertaking the pilgrimage has continued to increase in recent years, particularly during Ramadan and school holidays, when demand for Umrah packages is typically higher.

Most Maldivian pilgrims spend around two weeks in Saudi Arabia for Umrah, while the number of travel groups organising the pilgrimage has also increased in recent years.

The ministry has established regulations governing companies that organise Umrah trips, requiring all funds collected from pilgrims to be used solely for Umrah-related expenses. The rules also prohibit companies from using those funds for other purposes or investments.

The ministry said action would be taken against companies that fail to comply with the regulations published in the Government Gazette or violate the agreements signed with the ministry.

The increase in Umrah travel comes as national airline Maldivian also continues to expand its pilgrimage operations. Earlier this month, the airline launched its first direct Umrah flight from Gan International Airport to Saudi Arabia, providing residents of Addu City and the southern atolls with direct access to the pilgrimage without first travelling to Velana International Airport.

The airline has also expanded its Umrah services following the introduction of its Airbus A330 aircraft, operating 26 Hajj and Umrah flights and transporting 6,073 passengers between May 2025 and May 2026.