Over 4,000 Maldivians Travel for Umrah During School Holidays

More than 4,000 Maldivians have travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah during the ongoing school holidays, according to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

Islamic Affairs Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said more than 4,000 pilgrims had departed in various groups over the past several days. He said all travellers were in good health and had been able to perform their pilgrimage without any major issues.

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A significant number of Maldivians began travelling after the first school holidays of the year coincided with Independence Day on 26 July, creating an extended holiday period that many families and groups used to undertake Umrah.

Travelling for Umrah during school holidays has become increasingly common in recent years. According to the ministry, more than 7,000 Maldivians travelled for Umrah during the previous school holidays, while hundreds more travel to Mecca during the longer year-end holiday period each year.