RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has launched its Makkah Route Initiative in the Maldives, making it the eighth country to benefit from the scheme.
The other seven countries are Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Morocco and the Ivory Coast.
President of the Maldives Dr. Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated the route at Velana International Airport in Male on Monday, in the presence of the Chairman of the Makkah Route Supervisory Committee Lt. Gen. Sulaiman Al-Yahya, Minister of Islamic Affairs in the Maldives Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, and several other officials.
Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu inaugurating the Makkah Route Initiative at Velana International Airport in Male in the presence of Chairman of the Makkah Route Supervisory Committee Lt. Gen. Sulaiman Al-Yahya, and Maldives Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed. (Supplied)
The President’s Office posted on X: “President Dr @MMuizzu officially inaugurates the Makkah Route Initiative, accompanied by first lady madam @sajidhaamohamed.
“The president presented the passport to the first pilgrim utilizing the Makkah Route Initiative, while the first lady presented the passport to the second pilgrim.”
The first group of 234 Maldivian pilgrims left Male Airport under the initiative for Saudi Arabia.
This is a tremendous honor for the Maldivian people.
Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Maldives Minister of Islamic Affairs
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Ali Saeed described the occasion as a proud moment for all Maldivians.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs in the Maldives said it noted that the positive changes initiated in Hajj affairs under Muizzu’s administration were now coming to fruition, transforming the pilgrimage experience for Maldivian pilgrims.
The minister said: “This is a historic page in our efforts to ease and enhance the Hajj journey for our citizens.”
Ali Saeed expressed sincere gratitude to Muizzu for his strong support and commitment to making the Makkah Route Initiative a reality for the Maldives.
He further revealed that the inclusion of the Maldives in the Makkah Route Initiative was made possible through special exemptions granted by Saudi Arabia, with the personal approval of King Salman.
“This is a tremendous honor for the Maldivian people,” he added, recognizing the close and valued relationship between the two nations.
The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to provide high-quality services to pilgrims from beneficiary countries by streamlining travel procedures in their home countries and facilitating the smooth and seamless completion of process at their designated embarkation points.
This includes collecting biometric data, electronically issuing Hajj visas, completing passport procedures at the departure airport following health verification, coding and sorting luggage according to transportation and accommodation arrangements in the Kingdom, and transferring pilgrims to buses to their residences in Makkah and Madinah.
Partner agencies are responsible for delivering the luggage to pilgrims’ accommodation in the holy cities.
