Government Grants 324 Elderly Citizens Priority Hajj Slots for 2027

The Government of Maldives has decided to grant 324 elderly citizens aged 70 and above the opportunity to perform Hajj next year, prioritising individuals who have remained in the national Hajj queue for three years or longer.

According to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, the decision aims to facilitate the sacred obligation for elderly Muslims who have faced extended waiting periods. The revised policy takes into account the Maldives’ national quota allocation, the high number of elderly applicants, and those who have made full payments but remained unable to travel.

Speaking at a joint announcement, Islamic Affairs Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed and Maldives Hajj Corporation Managing Director Mohamed Firzul Abdullah Khaleel emphasised that selection would follow a transparent, objective process based strictly on age and queue registration date.

To qualify, individuals must reach 70 years of age by 31 December 2026, have completed payment on or before 31 December 2023, and be undertaking the obligatory pilgrimage for the first time. Out of the 324 selected, 86 individuals are over 75 years old.

The Ministry confirmed that citizens aged 65 to 69 previously scheduled to perform Hajj next year will retain their slots without delay. 

Priority will also be extended to those over 65 in the existing queue, with arrangements in place to preserve slots for accompanying family members who paid to travel together. 

While applicants under 65 may face an estimated delay of around one year, officials noted the initiative aims to clear the elderly backlog and progressively ease access for younger demographics in future years.