The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has decided to guarantee slots for next year's Hajj pilgrimage to all registered Maldivian citizens aged 70 and above who have been waiting in queue for at least three years, Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has announced.
The policy directive is intended to prioritize elderly pilgrims whose advanced age and health considerations make timely performance of the fifth pillar of Islam particularly urgent.
Prioritising elder pilgrims
Announcing the measure on Monday, Dr. Shaheem stated that the ministry reviewed the national pilgrimage roster managed by the Maldives Hajj Corporation to address long-standing backlogs that left elderly citizens waiting for multiple seasons despite having completed full fee payments:
"All individuals aged 70 and above who have remained in the official waiting queue for three years or longer after paying will be assured a slot for the upcoming Hajj season. We want to ensure our elderly citizens can fulfill this sacred religious obligation while in good health," Minister Shaheem stated.
The ministry indicated that the Hajj Corporation will formally reach out to eligible applicants to begin mandatory medical screenings and administrative preparations in the coming weeks.
Reforming quota allocation
The announcement comes amidst broader administrative reforms in the management of Maldivian pilgrimage quotas. The Maldives traditionally receives an annual quota of 1,000 pilgrims from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the government seeking additional allocations to accommodate surging domestic demand.
Under revised regulatory guidelines, priority categories have been established to prevent commercial slot trading and ensure equitable access for first-time pilgrims and elderly applicants. The ministry reaffirmed that it is coordinating with Saudi authorities to streamline biometric visa procedures and secure comfortable accommodation close to holy sites in Makkah and Madinah.
