Saudi requests Maldives abide by pilgrim health requirements

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said today that Saudi Arabia has requested Maldives to abide by their Hajj and Umrah Health Requirements, which states that individuals who have illnesses that need constant medical attention cannot go on a pilgrimage to Hajj.

While answering a question posed by Keyodhoo MP Hussain Sameer during the Parliament sitting today, the minister said that those with major illnesses cannot go to Hajj and is as such in order to protect those individuals.

The minister also said that Maldives has been in violation of the requirements set by Saudi Arabia.

“Records from the past five years show that five percent of Maldives’ official Hajj quota has been allocated to individuals with serious health conditions, in violation of Saudi Arabia’s health requirements. The Saudi authorities have therefore formally requested that the Maldives comply with their regulations,” said Shaheem.

As per a statement released by the Islamic Ministry, the circular sent by the Saudi Arabian government reminds other governments that the time of Hajj is fast approaching and to prepare themselves.

The statement also read that the circular serves to remind people to be safe and protect themselves at all times.

As per the Islamic Ministry's statement, people who want to go to Hajj can only get a visa after confirming that they are healthy and able individuals, along with a stamped and approved medical certificate provided by a relevant government center. The statement also reads that pilgrims are to not have specific illnesses.

One of the requirements for those who want to go to Hajj are not to have had any vital organ failure, oxygen dependency, liver cirrhosis or have been on dialysis in the past. Another requirement is that pilgrims who suffer from neurological or mental illness, have any issues with intellect, dementia and those who are close to giving birth cannot go to Hajj, as per the statement.

As for another requirement, the person must not be an individual who is undergoing chemotherapy or biological therapy for cancer. Those with tuberculosis and hemorrhoids cannot go to Hajj either, as per the statement.