New changes shorten trip for Hajj pilgrims

New changes brought to the Hajj itinerary for Maldivian pilgrims has resulted in shortening the period of time pilgrims have to stay in Saudi Arabia.

Previously, Hajj pilgrims from Maldives spent approximately one month in Saudi Arabia. With the new changes, this period will be reduced to about 19 days.

Hajj Corporation Managing Director Mohamed Shakeel said that previously, a visit to Madinah was planned for after the Hajj pilgrimage. Then, the trip involved travelling from Makkah to Madinah, Madinah to Makkah, and then to Jeddah.

This time, the trip is planned so that after visiting Madinah, pilgrims can fly back to Maldives straight from the Madinah Airport.

Shakeel said that these new arrangements will provide ease of travel for pilgrims.

He said that many pilgrims suffer illnesses and fatigue after the Hajj pilgrimage, hence the shortening of the trip would be an ease for them.

The first batch of pilgrims leaving for Hajj pilgrimage this year will be flying out on May 26. They will return on June 3.

However, some who paid for Hajj five to six years ago and have received slots now are raising concerns about not being given a refund as they paid for a 30 day trip instead of the now shortened trip.

In response to this, Shakeel said that the payments charged were for the Hajj pilgrimage itself, and not based on length of the trip.

Shakeel assured that all services will be provided the same as before, and that only a couple of days of the trip is being reduced.

Hajj Corporation charges MVR 69,965 per person for a Hajj pilgrimage.