In a reaffirmation of the close ties between the Republic of Maldives and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Dr. Tawfig F. Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday. The meeting took place at the Hajj and Umrah office in Minaa, during the 1446H Hajj season.
President Dr. Muizzu, who is currently in the Kingdom along with First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation to perform Hajj, conveyed his deep appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for their unwavering hospitality and continued support extended to Maldivian Hajj pilgrims.
The President thanked the Saudi leadership and Hajj authorities for the exceptional services provided throughout this year’s pilgrimage. In particular, he praised the smooth facilitation and efficiency enabled by the Makkah Route Initiative, under which Maldivian pilgrims were able to complete Saudi Arabia immigration and customs procedures at Velana International Airport before departure. The initiative, he noted, has drastically reduced wait times and streamlined the pilgrimage experience, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing the spiritual journey of Muslims from around the world.
During the discussion, President Dr. Muizzu also acknowledged the quality of accommodations, health services, and logistical arrangements made for pilgrims at key sites including Minaa, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. He expressed admiration for the Saudi Arabia government’s organizational efforts, particularly in managing the flow of millions of pilgrims safely and comfortably, a task of extraordinary scale and importance.
The Maldivian delegation’s participation in this year’s Hajj, hosted at the invitation of the Saudi government, serves as a strong symbol of the deep-rooted and growing friendship between the two nations. The President reiterated the Maldives’ gratitude for the care shown to its citizens and expressed his personal appreciation to Minister Dr. Tawfig Al-Rabiah for his leadership in overseeing the implementation of this year’s pilgrimage services.
The meeting also served as a platform to explore future cooperation in areas related to religious affairs, pilgrimage facilitation, and administrative support. Both parties agreed on the importance of maintaining and enhancing coordination between respective ministries to ensure continued improvement in service delivery for pilgrims in the years ahead.
The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, who has been actively engaging with delegations from around the Muslim world during the Hajj season, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to supporting all guests of the Two Holy Mosques. He acknowledged the Maldives as a key partner and commended the country’s efficient preparation, coordination, and the discipline shown by Maldivian pilgrims during the rites of Hajj.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with both sides expressing confidence in the continued success of collaborative efforts in support of shared religious and diplomatic objectives.
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