All pilgrims aged 70 and over who have been on the Hajj waiting list for three years will be able to perform the pilgrimage next year, Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem has announced.
The change is intended to give more elderly Maldivians the chance to go, given the country’s limited annual quota. The decision prioritises those who have waited longest among the older age group.
Hajj allocations for the Maldives are constrained by the size of the national quota set by Saudi Arabia. Previous years have seen long queues, particularly for older applicants.
The ministry is expected to publish further details on the selection process and remaining places in the coming weeks.
