Cabinet decides to prioritise new Hajj pilgrims
Efforts are underway to negotiate an increase in the Maldives' official Hajj quota
Cabinet on Sunday approved changes to prioritise individuals who have been waiting for an extended period to perform the Hajj pilgrimage through the Hajj Corporation.
The decision will take effect next year, according to a statement from the President’s Office.
The revised rules aim to address the longstanding queue system and ensure fairer distribution of Hajj opportunities. The procedures include:
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Prioritising new applicants on the Hajj Corporation’s waiting list.
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Reserving a portion of the Hajj Corporation’s quota for individuals aged 65 and above who have not previously performed Hajj.
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Allowing individuals aged 75 and above to bring an assistant based on their health conditions.
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Permitting an assistant who has not previously performed Hajj to accompany the elderly; a family member may be allowed if no other suitable assistant is available.
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Allowing individuals who have previously performed Hajj to undertake the pilgrimage again after a five-year interval.
Efforts are underway to negotiate an increase in the Maldives' official Hajj quota to accommodate those who have been waiting for years despite securing a position on the queue.
Since last year, the Hajj Corporation has been the sole entity managing the Hajj quota for pilgrims from the Maldives.
