Over 4,000 Maldivians travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah pilgrimage during these school holidays, Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed revealed yesterday. 

In a message sent to the Islamic Ministry's media group, Minister Shaheem said that 4,364 pilgrims have travelled this break, as part of 30 separate Umrah groups.

The highest number of pilgrims, 1,004, travelled with Al Musafir. Hajj Corporation follows, having arranged the pilgrimage for 640 individuals. Qibla group managed travel for 330 pilgrims. 

Previously, Umrah pilgrimage was mainly fulfilled by adults. However, the past five years has seen a change to the trend, with children often accompanying parents on the pilgrimage during school holidays.