President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, took part in a prestigious reception hosted by His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The royal gathering was held at Al-Mina Palace on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in honour of global dignitaries performing the Hajj pilgrimage during the 1446H season.
The reception brought together heads of state, leaders of Hajj missions, senior Islamic scholars, and distinguished guests from across the Muslim world. This year’s reception also included representatives of official government Hajj delegations and other prominent figures invited by the Saudi government to witness the annual pilgrimage. President Dr. Muizzu was notably seated beside the Crown Prince during the gathering, a gesture reflecting the warmth and close diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and the Maldives.
The President, joined by First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation, was in Saudi Arabia at the special invitation of the Saudi government to perform Hajj. The delegation included senior cabinet ministers and advisors, and their participation underscored the Maldives’ deep-rooted religious and diplomatic engagement with the Kingdom.
During the event, President Dr. Muizzu extended his heartfelt appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the exceptional hospitality, generous care, and world-class facilities provided to pilgrims from around the world, including Maldivians. He especially thanked the Kingdom for its efforts in improving the overall Hajj experience and for ensuring the comfort, safety, and dignity of every pilgrim.
One of the highlights of this year’s pilgrimage season for Maldivians was the successful implementation of the Makkah Route Initiative, which enabled pilgrims to complete immigration, customs, and health formalities in Malé before departing for Saudi Arabia. President Dr. Muizzu commended this initiative as a major logistical improvement that allowed pilgrims to avoid long queues upon arrival and proceed directly to their accommodations in Makkah.
He also praised the enhancements made at the holy sites, particularly in Mina and Arafat, where a wide range of services, including medical care, sanitation, and crowd management, were effectively coordinated by Saudi authorities. The overall improvements contributed to a spiritually fulfilling and physically safe experience for over 1,000 Maldivian pilgrims who participated this year.
The reception hosted by the Crown Prince served not only as a platform to honour the unity of the Muslim Ummah but also as an occasion to reinforce Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in facilitating the Hajj pilgrimage. President Dr. Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives’ appreciation for the Kingdom’s continued commitment to supporting pilgrims and strengthening fraternal ties with Islamic nations.
The event concluded with shared prayers for a Mabrur Hajj for all pilgrims and continued blessings for peace and unity in the Muslim world. The participation of President Dr. Muizzu at this high-level gathering stands as a testament to the Maldives’ valued relationship with Saudi Arabia and its growing stature within the broader Islamic community.
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