Tuesday
19th May 2026
Dhivehi Edition
The final group of Maldivian pilgrims travelling for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage departed for Saudi Arabia this morning.
According to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs Maldives, a total of 253 pilgrims travelled on the last flight.
With today’s departure, all pilgrims travelling under the Maldives’ Hajj quota of 1,000 pilgrims for this year have now departed for Saudi Arabia. Of the total, 500 pilgrims travelled on flights operated by the national airline Maldivian, while the remaining 500 travelled on Saudia flights.
This year’s pilgrims departed on four separate flights. A total of 238 pilgrims travelled on the first flight, followed by 260 on the second, 268 on the third and 253 on the final flight.
As in previous years, Maldivian pilgrims travelled under the Makkah Route Initiative. Under the arrangement, Saudi immigration procedures are completed before departure at Velana International Airport.
The initiative allows pilgrims to travel directly to their hotels upon arrival in Saudi Arabia without waiting for immigration clearance at Jeddah airport. Pilgrims’ luggage is also transported directly to their accommodation.
According to authorities, Maldivian pilgrims will spend a total of 22 days in Saudi Arabia, with return flights scheduled to begin from 5 June.