Makkah Route Initiative, facilitating huge easements to Maldivian pilgrims, launched

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Monday, has inaugurated the Mekkah Route Initiative in the Maldives, which will introduce significant logistic easements for Maldivian pilgrims.

Mekkah Route Initiative will provide substantial logistical ease for pilgrims as their visa processing and immigration procedures will be completed at the local airport of the respective pilgrim. This would allow pilgrims to proceed directly to their accommodation upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.

The first group of Maldivian pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia this year for Hajj departed on Monday. This includes 234 pilgrims.

The first couple met with the pilgrims at Velana International Airport (VIA).

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed described the day as a historic milestone, highlighting that significant easements had been secured for Maldivian pilgrims through dedicated efforts carried out under the leadership of President Muizzu. He expressed gratitude to the President on behalf of the Ministry for making this possible.

Minister Shaheem noted that countries must typically meet several criteria to participate in the Mekkah Route Initiative, including sending thousands of pilgrims. However, he stated that the Saudi government waived these requirements as a special gesture to President Muizzu and the Maldivian people, allowing the Maldives to join the initiative.

“If my information is not wrong, there should be 20,000 pilgrims from that country. We are not aware when we can reach that point. However, Maldives has been enrolled in the initiative by waiving requirements demanded from other countries, without any agreement, as a special gift to the Maldives,” he said.

Following the inauguration of the Mekkah Route Initiative, the first couple presented passports to two pilgrims.

The inauguration ceremony was attended Chairman of the Makkah Route Initiative Committee and Advisor to the Saudi Interior Minister, Lieutenant General Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation from the Saudi Arabian government, including officials from the Hajj Ministry and Foreign Ministry, and senior officials from the Maldivian government.

Collection of biometric data of pilgrims, facilitate the issuance of electronic hajj visas and ensure that the necessary health and safety measures have been completed