All on Hajj Waiting List Can Travel This Year, Says Gov’t
Photo: Islamic Ministry
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that all individuals currently on the Maldives Hajj Corporation’s waiting list will have the opportunity to undertake the pilgrimage this year.
2025 ގައި ހައްޖަށް ދެވޭނެ ކަމަށް ކޯޕަރޭޝަންގެ ކިއުގައި ތިބި އެންމެހައި ފަރާތްތަކަށް މިއަހަރު ހައްޖަށް ދެވޭނެ. އިންޝާ ﷲ. އަދި މިއީ ޒަމާންތަކަކަށް ފަހު, އެއަހަރެއްގައި ކިއުގައި ޖެހިފައިތިބި އެންމެނަށް އެއަހަރު ހައްޖަށް ދެވޭ ފުރަތަމަ ފަހަރުކަން ފާހަގަކުރަން.
— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) March 23, 2025advertisement
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The announcement was made on Muizzu’s official social media account last night. It follows a series of reforms addressing longstanding concerns among prospective pilgrims regarding delays and uncertainty in securing a place for the pilgrimage.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs restructured the Hajj process last year, centralising all arrangements under the Hajj Corporation. This decision ended the previous quota system, which had led to complications for many pilgrims who paid the Hajj Corporation but were unable to travel due to quotas being distributed among multiple providers.
This change follows a revision in the Hajj policy announced by President Muizzu on 5 January 2025. The new system prioritises first-time pilgrims and introduces measures to ensure a more equitable allocation of spaces. The previous “pay first, go first” system has been replaced, with a portion of the Hajj quota now reserved for individuals over the age of 65 who have not yet performed the pilgrimage.
The revised policy also includes additional provisions to support elderly applicants. Those aged 75 and above will be provided with an assistant, depending on their health conditions. Where possible, family members who have never performed Hajj will be given priority to accompany them. If no such family member is available, an assistant who has previously completed the pilgrimage may be assigned, provided that no first-time pilgrims are available for the role.
To further prioritise first-time applicants, those who have already performed Hajj will only be eligible to apply again after a gap of five Hijri years.
