First time pilgrims to be given precedence in issuing Hajj slots

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has decided to bring changes to the existing policy so that first time pilgrims are given precedence in the issuance of Hajj slots.

The President's Office said that this decision was reached after discussions in today's cabinet meeting on a paper proposed by Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.

The changes approved today state that in granting Hajj slots in order of sign up for those who have paid to the Maldives Hajj Corporation, the following policies will need to be followed:

- Precedence will be given to first time Hajj goers

- A determined percentage of Hajj slots set by the Hajj Corporation will be dedicated for persons above the age of 65 who have not previously fulfilled Hajj pilgrimage

- For those over the age of 75 years who are first time Hajj goers, opportunity must be granted to take an assistant in the instance that one is needed to due to health reasons. In such cases, the assistant must be some one who has not previously fulfilled Hajj pilgrimage, and if a family member is on the Hajj Corporation list, they should be appointed as assistant. A person who has already fulfilled Hajj pilgrimage can only be appointed an assistant in the instance that no persons who have not fulfilled Hajj pilgrimage are available.

The health condition of the applicant will be determined through a Doctor assigned by the Hajj Corporation, the President's Office further said.

- A person who has previously fulfilled Hajj pilgrimage will be offered a slot only after 5 Hijri calendar years since their last Hajj

- Persons travelling to Hajj as helpers as determined by the Hajj Corporation will be exempt from these conditions

The President's Office said that these changes are being brought to find solutions for people who are on a long waiting list to receive slots despite having made payments to the Hajj Corporation. The government is also working on increasing Hajj quotas.