A total of 499 Maldivians have arrived safely in Makkah for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, with all reported to be in good health, according to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

The pilgrims began their journey on Monday and reached Makkah by Tuesday. Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohammad Shaheem Ali Saeed, confirmed that the Maldives Hajj Mission is closely monitoring their condition and praised the Maldives Hajj Corporation for its exceptional arrangements this year.

For the first time, Maldivians are participating in the pilgrimage under the Makkah Route Initiative, which allows pilgrims to complete Saudi immigration procedures before departing. This has significantly eased their journey, enabling them to bypass Jeddah airport and proceed directly to their accommodation.

The Government, under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s guidance, has implemented several key improvements to enhance the experience for Maldivian pilgrims. This includes upgrading Mina accommodations to Category B, providing individual sofa beds in both Mina and Arafat, and ensuring exclusive housing without pilgrims from other countries.

Additionally, a dedicated clinic for Maldivian pilgrims has been established in Makkah in collaboration with a Saudi hospital, further improving health and safety support during the pilgrimage.