A senior delegation from Saudi Arabia arrived in the Maldives on Friday to begin preparations for the implementation of the Makkah Route Initiative, a programme aimed at streamlining Hajj travel.

The team was officially welcomed at Velana International Airport (VIA) by Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed and senior officials from the Ministry. The delegation includes representatives from key Saudi agencies such as the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Immigration Department, and other relevant authorities.

The Makkah Route is set to officially begin on May 26, coinciding with the departure of the first group of Maldivian pilgrims for Hajj. A total of 26 Saudi officials will be based in the Maldives to support the implementation of the initiative.

The programme is designed to simplify travel and immigration procedures, offering a more efficient and comfortable Hajj experience for pilgrims. Under the initiative, pilgrims will complete all Saudi immigration and health requirements before departure, allowing them to bypass lengthy procedures upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.

According to Minister Dr Shaheem, services under the initiative will include biometric data collection, electronic visa processing, pre-departure health and safety checks, luggage tagging, and boarding pass issuance. Once in Saudi Arabia, pilgrims will be transported directly to their accommodation, with their luggage delivered to their rooms.

The Ministry stated that the inclusion of the Maldives in the Makkah Route Initiative reflects the strong and growing bilateral relationship between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia, and marks a significant milestone achieved by the current Administration.