First Group of Maldivian Pilgrims Departs for Hajj Under Makkah Route Initiative

The first group of 235 Maldivian pilgrims from this year’s Hajj quota departed today under the newly introduced Makkah Route Initiative. This marks the beginning of the annual pilgrimage season for the Maldives, with a total Hajj quota of 1,000 pilgrims allocated for the country this year.

According to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the remaining pilgrims will depart on separate flights over the coming days, with the final group scheduled to leave the Maldives next Friday.

A significant advancement this Hajj season is the Maldives’ participation in the Makkah Route Initiative — a major Saudi-led project under Vision 2030 designed to simplify and expedite travel procedures for pilgrims. The Maldives is the eighth country to be included in this initiative.

Under the program, all immigration and health procedures for both the Maldives and Saudi Arabia are completed at Velana International Airport prior to departure. As a result, pilgrims are able to bypass lengthy immigration processes upon arrival in Saudi Arabia and proceed directly to their hotels. Their luggage is also handled in advance and delivered directly to their accommodations.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has described the Makkah Route Initiative as a historic milestone for Maldivian pilgrims, significantly improving the overall experience and reducing travel stress.

The initiative has been implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Ministry of Interior since 2018 and is considered a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to modernize and facilitate Hajj services globally.