The Government of Saudi Arabia has decided to allow Maldivian students studying in Saudi Arabia to undertake the pilgrimage since they assist Maldivian pilgrims during the Hajj season.
The Government of Saudi Arabia has decided to allow Maldivian students studying in Saudi Arabia to undertake the pilgrimage since they assist Maldivian pilgrims during the Hajj season.
Minister of Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said that Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj has accepted the Maldives’ request to allow Maldivian students studying in Saudi Arabia that assist the pilgrims to undertake the pilgrimage themselves during the Hajj season.
Shaheem said the Saudi government has agreed to this proposal and officially informed the Government of Maldives about their decision on Wednesday.
"As you know, it is very important that there are people that speak Arabic, [to assist] in the domestic transport buses of the country. Sometimes pilgrims face a lot of problems as there are few people who know Arabic," said Shaheem.
He added this permit would be a great relief for future Hajj seasons.
Shaheem said according to terms set by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj previously, students studying in the country would be allowed to perform the pilgrimage only once in five years. This is the rule that applies to Saudi citizens and residents of the country.
Following the Saudi government's decision, the Maldives Hajj Corporation will work with universities in Saudi Arabia to develop a list of Maldivian students there, Shaheem said. A fixed amount of students set by the government will be allowed to do their pilgrimage, he said.
This year's Hajj Day on the Hijri calendar falls on June 16.
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