The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has stated that Maldivian Hajj pilgrims are scheduled to begin their journey to Mina tonight.

The Minister stated that the pilgrims will depart for Mina tonight at 9:30 PM Makkah time. That is 12:30 AM tonight, Maldives time.

Mina is a city located approximately five kilometers away from Makkah. Tents specially designated for the accommodation of pilgrims will be set up there.

The Minister stated that the pilgrims will begin their journey to Arafat tomorrow night, and that the Hajj Corporation is providing the highest level of service and assistance to Maldivian pilgrims seen in Maldivian history.

Noting that the arrangements for Mina and Arafat are also very fully prepared, Shaheem stated that the Maldives Hajj Mission is monitoring the affairs of the pilgrims very closely.

Before heading to Arafat, which is the most important pillar of Hajj, pilgrims will spend the night in Mina and then begin their journey to Arafat. After fulfilling the most important pillar of Hajj, they will then spend one night in Muzdalifah, and throw pebbles at the Jamarat in Mina on the day of Eid. Following that, they will complete tasks such as sacrificing the Udhhiya, men trimming or shaving their head hair, and leaving the state of Ihram.

Similar to last year, the people going to Hajj from the Maldives this year also traveled under the Makkah Route arrangements. This is a program that arranges for pilgrims to clear everything required by the immigration of both countries at their home country's airport before departing.

The Makkah Route opportunity, which provides many eases in clearing airport and immigration phases when going for Hajj, is an opportunity usually given by the Saudi government to countries where at least 20,000 people go for Hajj at one time. However, it began being offered to the Maldives, where 1,000 people go for Hajj annually, starting from last year.

This time, the Maldivian pilgrims will stay in Saudi Arabia for 22 days.