Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has announced that 164 Maldivian pilgrims, who were unable to depart for Umrah during the last ten days of Ramadan due to flight cancellations caused by regional conflict, will travel to Saudi Arabia tonight on a specially chartered Maldivian flight.

In a social media post last Thursday, Minister Shaheem highlighted that approximately 150 Maldivians were stranded after Middle Eastern airspace closures led to the cancellation of their transit flights. Following instructions from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to find an urgent solution, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the Maldives Hajj Corporation, and Maldivian collaborated to arrange this travel.

"If a flight could be chartered, we intended to offer any remaining seats to others wishing to travel, beyond the initial 150 stranded individuals. Despite the time constraints, we have been working tirelessly to overcome these obstacles," Shaheem had previously stated.

In an update on X today, the Minister confirmed that arrangements are now finalized for the 164 pilgrims.

"The Maldives Hajj Corporation has chartered a flight from Malé to Jeddah, and all necessary arrangements in Makkah have also been secured," Shaheem said.

The Minister expressed his gratitude to President Muizzu, the Hajj Corporation, and Maldivian for their cooperation in resolving the challenges faced by the pilgrims.