Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has departed for Saudi Arabia on an official visit to participate in the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 2026, which is being held in Madinah from 30 March to 1 April 2026 at the King Salman International Convention Center. The forum is recognized as one of the leading international platforms dedicated to the advancement of Umrah and Ziyarah services, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders from across the sector, including Umrah tour operators, investors, developers, hospitality leaders, technology innovators, and policy-makers working to enhance the spiritual journey of pilgrims from around the world.
Now in its third edition, the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum continues to build on the progress achieved in previous years by creating opportunities for innovation, strengthening partnerships, and promoting higher standards in the delivery of pilgrim services. This year’s edition is expected to attract more than 40,000 visitors, feature 150 exhibitors, and include 160 speakers, while also facilitating over 5,000 Umrah agreements. The scale and scope of the forum reflect Saudi Arabia’s growing efforts to further develop the Umrah and Ziyarah ecosystem and to support a more seamless, efficient, and enriching experience for the global Muslim community.
Dr. Shaheem’s participation in the forum highlights the Maldives’ continued engagement in important international discussions related to pilgrimage services, Islamic cooperation, and institutional development. The visit is also expected to provide valuable opportunities for dialogue with senior officials, sector leaders, and strategic partners, while allowing the Maldives to explore avenues for deeper collaboration in areas connected to Hajj, Umrah, religious services, and infrastructure development. As the forum places strong emphasis on innovation and service excellence, it also provides a meaningful setting for the Maldives to engage with emerging ideas and best practices that can contribute to the enhancement of services for Maldivian pilgrims.
During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding is scheduled to be signed with a Saudi Arabian company for the construction of a major mosque planned for Hulhumalé. The planned agreement is expected to mark an important step in advancing religious infrastructure development in the Maldives and reflects the broader spirit of cooperation between the two countries. The mosque project is anticipated to contribute significantly to the religious and community landscape of Hulhumalé, supporting the growing needs of the population while also symbolizing the enduring partnership between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia in matters of shared Islamic interest.
The official visit also comes at a time when bilateral relations between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia continue to deepen under the leadership of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Saudi Arabia has continued to extend meaningful support to the Maldives, particularly in matters related to Hajj, while cooperation has also expanded across several institutional areas. Close collaboration remains ongoing with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, with a number of joint initiatives being actively pursued. At the same time, important coordination is also being carried out with the Royal Embassy of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Maldives, reflecting the strong and growing depth of ties between the two countries.
The visit by Minister Dr. Shaheem is therefore expected to further reinforce this positive trajectory of cooperation, while advancing discussions that are important not only to the Maldives’ religious affairs sector but also to the wider development of services that support the spiritual lives of citizens. As the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 2026 gathers global expertise and leadership in Madinah, the Maldives’ participation underscores its commitment to constructive international engagement, stronger partnerships, and the continued pursuit of excellence in serving the needs of the Muslim community.
advertisment
advertisment
