President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that every individual currently on the Hajj Corporation’s waiting list will be able to perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year, marking a significant milestone in the country’s pilgrimage management.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday night, President Muizzu said this was the first time in years that all applicants on the waiting list would be accommodated within the year they had expected to travel. The move follows sweeping reforms introduced by the administration to streamline and prioritise Hajj arrangements.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs had previously announced that starting this year, the Maldives Hajj Corporation would be the sole organiser of the Hajj pilgrimage. This meant the end of the quota-sharing system that had previously allocated pilgrimage slots to private companies. The reform was intended to address long-standing concerns from pilgrims who had paid to secure their place but were left behind due to the fragmented system.
President Muizzu officially amended the country’s Hajj policy on January 5, 2025, shifting from the earlier “pay first, go first” approach to a more equitable system that gives priority to first-time pilgrims. The updated regulations, published on March 18, also introduced provisions to accommodate elderly applicants more efficiently.
Under the new policy, a portion of the national quota will be reserved for individuals above 65 years of age who have not yet performed Hajj. Those over 75 may be accompanied by an assistant depending on health conditions, with priority given to family members who are also first-time applicants. If no eligible family member is available, assistants who have previously completed Hajj may be assigned—provided no first-time applicants are left to fill the role.
Additionally, those who have already completed the pilgrimage will only become eligible for another trip after a waiting period of five Hijri years.
According to data from the Hajj Corporation, there are currently 9,115 individuals on the waiting list. Of these, 7,543 are under the age of 65, 1,461 fall between the ages of 65 and 75, and 111 are over the age of 75. A total of 8,623 people on the list are first-time applicants.
The announcement has been widely welcomed by prospective pilgrims, with many expressing relief and gratitude after years of uncertainty surrounding their travel prospects.
