Fifty pilgrims have been selected for government-sponsored Hajj for the year 1447 (Islamic calendar). The selection of these 50 underprivileged individuals for next year's Hajj was done through a lottery system.

The Islamic Ministry stated today that in a ceremony held at the Islamic Center, in addition to the 50 people, 25 more individuals were selected as alternates in case any of the chosen pilgrims are unable to go.

The Ministry said that the lottery for selecting Hajj pilgrims was based on the Zakat House's registry of underprivileged individuals. This registry was reviewed by the Zakat House in December 2024.

According to the Islamic Ministry, there are 376 people on the underprivileged list who have not yet performed their obligatory Hajj. The Ministry also stated that by the end of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's term, all those on the underprivileged list who haven't performed Hajj will be sent.

Sending 1,000 underprivileged individuals for Hajj during his presidential term is one of President Muizzu's campaign promises. Under this promise, the first group of underprivileged pilgrims was sent in the year 1445 (Islamic calendar). The Islamic Ministry has stated that 50 underprivileged individuals were sent for Hajj in both the 1445 and 1446 Hajj seasons under the President's campaign promise.