Maldives Hajj Corporation to Upgrade Pilgrim Services in Saudi Arabia
Maldives Hajj Corporation signs deal to improve pilgrim services | Photo: Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited
The Maldives Hajj Corporation has formalised an agreement to enhance the quality of services provided to Maldivian pilgrims during the annual Hajj, securing upgraded accommodations and logistical support at the key pilgrimage sites of Mina and Arafat.
މިނާ އަދި ޢަރަފާތުގައި ދިވެހި ޙައްޖާޖީންނަށް ދޭންޖެހޭ ޚިދުމަތްތައް އެންމެ ފުރިހަމައަށް ދިނުމަށް މުޠައްވިފްކަމުގައިވާ ރަވާފް މިނާއާއެކު އެއްބަސްވުމުގައި ސޮއިކުރުން. މިދިޔަ އަހަރަކީ ރާއްޖޭގެ ތާރީޚުގައި ޙައްޖާޖީންނަށް، އެންމެ ފެންވަރު ރަނގަޅު ޚިދުމަތް ދިން އަހަރު. pic.twitter.com/zPDC9WE3DN
— Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited (@Hajjcorporation) November 11, 2025advertisement
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The accord was signed during the Hajj Conference and Exhibition 2025, currently taking place in Jeddah. The agreement was concluded with Rawaf Mina Pilgrims Services Company, a licensed provider operating under the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which specialises in tent accommodations and logistical coordination for pilgrims in Mina and Arafat. Managing Director Mohamed Shakeel signed on behalf of the Maldives Hajj Corporation, while Chief Executive Officer Zuhair bin Abdul Hamid Sadayo represented Rawaf Mina.
The partnership builds on the Maldives’ most successful year to date in delivering high-quality services to pilgrims in Mina and Arafat, achieved during the previous Hajj season. A key outcome of recent collaboration between the Maldivian and Saudi governments is the elevation of service classification in Mina, with Maldivian pilgrims moving from ‘Category C’ to ‘Category B’ provisions. This upgrade provides improved facilities, greater comfort, and more dedicated arrangements.
The enhancements are expected to ease the experience of pilgrims during their extended stay in Mina, which includes the 8th day of Hajj and the 11th to 13th days following their return from Arafat and Muzdalifah. Mina holds deep religious significance but presents substantial logistical challenges, accommodating millions of pilgrims simultaneously.
Under the new arrangement, Maldivian pilgrims will be housed in dedicated tents, improving privacy and sleeping conditions compared with previous shared accommodations. Meal services, which were previously delivered in parcels, will now be provided via buffet, enhancing both quality and cultural relevance.
