Gov’t to Facilitate Hajj for 376 Citizens on Poverty Registry

The Islamic Ministry has announced that the current government plans to facilitate Hajj for 376 individuals on the poverty list who have not yet performed the pilgrimage. The initiative is intended to fulfil a presidential pledge within the next five years.

The ministry noted that over the past two years, 100 impoverished individuals who had not previously undertaken Hajj were sent for the pilgrimage under the interim government. It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all eligible individuals on the poverty list complete the obligatory Hajj within the same five-year timeframe.

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President Mohamed Muizzu had earlier pledged to send 1,000 people for Hajj at government expense during his five-year term. The Saudi government allocates a quota of 1,000 Hajj pilgrims to the Maldives each year, typically comprising 850 individuals on a queue-based system, 100 assistants, including those for patients and cooks, and 50 individuals from the poverty list, whose expenses are covered by the government.

Hajj permits are distributed to countries on a quota basis and allocated to individuals through a lottery system. Concerns have periodically been raised about potential government influence over Hajj opportunities. In response, Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said that on 12 August, the President instructed the government to reduce the portion of the 1,000-person Hajj quota reserved for government allocation.

The minister also outlined measures for this year’s Hajj season, including prioritising first-time pilgrims, limiting repeat Hajj visits to every five years, and reserving part of the Hajj quotas for individuals over 65 years of age.