Saudi Arabia Makes Mecca Route Initiative Permanent for Maldivian Pilgrims
Saudi Arabia Makes Mecca Route Initiative Permanent for Maldivian Pilgrims | Photo: Islamic Ministry
The Saudi government has decided to make the Mecca Route Initiative a permanent arrangement for Maldivian pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia Permanently Includes Maldives in Makkah Route Initiativehttps://t.co/QJWSICszgn pic.twitter.com/VDExskh6aj
— Ministry of Islamic Affairs (@MVIaffairs) November 11, 2025advertisement
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According to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the decision was announced during a meeting between Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed and the Supervisory Committee of the Saudi Mecca Route Initiative on Tuesday. The committee confirmed that the Maldives would continue to benefit from the service on a long-term basis.
The Mecca Route Initiative allows pilgrims to complete immigration procedures at their departure airport before leaving their home country. Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, they are able to bypass immigration queues, while their luggage is delivered directly to their hotels and airport transfers are made more efficient.
The Maldives first participated in the initiative during the last Hajj season, following arrangements facilitated by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Saudi authorities commended the cooperation of Maldivian institutions, including airport, customs, immigration, aviation security, the Maldives Hajj Corporation, and the general public, in ensuring the smooth implementation of the process.
Officials from Saudi Arabia’s Ministries of Hajj, Foreign Affairs, Aviation, Immigration, and Interior were also present at the meeting. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs stated that the Maldives had formally requested inclusion in the initiative in March this year after a series of discussions with Saudi authorities.
