A senior Saudi delegation has arrived in the Maldives ahead of the official launch of the Mecca Route Initiative, which aims to ease the Hajj travel process for pilgrims.

The high-level delegation, comprising 42 officials from the Saudi Ministries of Hajj, Foreign Affairs, and Immigration, is led by Lieutenant General Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya, Chairman of the Mecca Route Initiative Committee and adviser to the Saudi Foreign Minister.

The initiative will be inaugurated on Monday by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed.

This marks the Maldives' first inclusion in the Saudi-led initiative, which aims to streamline immigration procedures for Hajj pilgrims at their departure point.

Islamic Affairs Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said the Maldives had been granted inclusion under the direction of King Salman, who waived the standard preconditions typically imposed on participating countries.

“With the inauguration of the Mecca Route, Maldivian pilgrims will no longer face hours-long waits at Jeddah airport for passport control or baggage claim. They will arrive, disembark, and proceed directly to their accommodation, where their luggage will be delivered,” said Minister Shaheem.

He said that this is expected to significantly improve the Hajj experience for Maldivians, particularly elderly pilgrims who previously endured lengthy processing times upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.

An advance team of Saudi officials arrived in Maldives on May 16 to coordinate preparations. The main delegation landed Friday ahead of Monday’s ceremony.

Mecca Route Initiative, part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform plan, was launched in 2018 and offers pre-departure immigration clearance and logistical support for pilgrims in select partner countries.