The Apex Committee on the Makkah Route has decided to make Hajj services under the Mecca Route Initiative a permanent arrangement in the Maldives.

The decision was made during a committee meeting held on Wednesday, as announced by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. The meeting was chaired by Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed during his official visit to Saudi Arabia and attended by senior officials from the Saudi Ministries of Hajj, Foreign Affairs, Aviation, Immigration, and Home Affairs.

The Ministry stated that last year’s Hajj served as the Maldives’ first experience with the Makkah Route, and the Saudi government expressed appreciation for the cooperation extended by Maldivian authorities, including airports, customs, immigration, aviation security, and the Maldives Hajj Corporation.

According to the Ministry, the permanent establishment of the Makkah Route in the Maldives will greatly simplify the Hajj process for Maldivian pilgrims.

Minister Shaheem thanked President Dr Mohamed Muizzu for his efforts in making the initiative permanent and conveyed the President’s gratitude to the King and government of Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Maldivian people.

The Maldives joined the Makkah Route Initiative on 26 May. The programme allows pilgrims to complete all immigration and customs procedures in their home country before departure, enabling them to proceed directly to their accommodation upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.