President Dr Mohamed Muizzu met with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Saturday at Al-Mina Palace during a special gathering organised by the Crown Prince on behalf of King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

The event brought together distinguished visitors, including heads of state, dignitaries, honoured guests of the King, and leaders of Hajj delegations from various countries, who had come to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

During the meeting, President Dr Muizzu expressed his gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the Saudi government for their warm hospitality during his official visit and for the arrangements made for Maldivian pilgrims performing Hajj this year. 

The leaders discussed opportunities to further strengthen the longstanding fraternal ties between the two countries, focusing on areas of mutual benefit and cooperation.

President Dr Muizzu was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Minister of Finance and Planning; the Minister of Islamic Affairs; the Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation; and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was joined by several senior officials, including the Deputy Governor of Makkah; the Minister of Defense; the Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Minister of the National Guard; the Minister of Interior; and the Minister of Sports.

Each year, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques extends invitations to world leaders and Islamic dignitaries to perform the Hajj. This year, President Dr Muizzu was among those invited, with all arrangements overseen by the Saudi government.