Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has assured that the Maldives’ Hajj quota is being distributed in a fair and transparent manner, in accordance with established regulations and without favouritism.

Responding to questions from lawmakers during today's sitting of Parliament, Minister Dr Shaheem emphasised that Saudi Arabia allocates 1,000 Hajj slots to the Maldives annually, with no individual granted special priority. Of this year’s quota, 850 Maldivians have registered to perform the pilgrimage, including 44 individuals over the age of 75. He added that 50 pilgrims from low-income backgrounds have been sponsored by the Government to travel to Hajj at no personal cost.

The Minister noted that the Maldives Hajj Corporation was formed to provide affordable Hajj and Umrah services while ensuring proper management of pilgrim arrangements, addressing past concerns of negligence by private organisations. He said President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had introduced new regulations for quota allocation following a Cabinet decision on 5 January 2025, creating a system that prioritises those who have been in the queue since the Corporation’s inception.

The Minister also outlined the Government’s broader vision for the Hajj Corporation, which includes purchasing buses for Maldivian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, building a dedicated hotel for Maldivians in the Kingdom, and managing the Hajj Fund under Islamic finance principles to generate returns through Sukuk and other Shariah-compliant investments.