President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced yesterday that Maldivian pilgrims can now complete Saudi Arabia’s immigration, customs, and health procedures at Velana International Airport (VIA) before departing for Hajj. This new arrangement forms part of the Makkah Route Initiative, which he officially launched during a special ceremony held at VIA.
During the event, President Muizzu handed the passport to the first pilgrim travelling under the initiative, while First Lady Sajidha Mohamed presented the passport to the second pilgrim.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Muizzu said the Makkah Route Initiative allows pilgrims from participating countries to finalise all immigration, customs, and health procedures at their departure point. For Maldivians, this means completing formalities at VIA and arriving in Saudi Arabia ready to proceed directly to their accommodations with ease, comfort, and dignity.
“This historic inclusion of the Maldives in this global initiative is a profound testament to the depth of the brotherly relationship between our two brotherly nations, and to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s unwavering dedication to the service of Islam and the Ummah,” President Muizzu said.
As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Pilgrim Experience Programme, the initiative significantly improves the travel experience. Upon arrival in the Kingdom, pilgrims bypass entry processing and head straight to their lodging. President Muizzu hailed the programme as a spiritually significant and transformative milestone, reflecting the Government’s commitment to enhancing services for pilgrims.
In his remarks, the President expressed sincere gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. He praised their leadership and vision in welcoming the Maldives into this important initiative. He also described the programme as a symbol of the strong brotherly ties between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia, and a testament to the Kingdom’s continued service to the Islamic world.
To further support pilgrims, President Muizzu announced the establishment of a dedicated Hajj clinic in Saudi Arabia. The clinic will offer emergency medical services in coordination with Saudi medical teams. Additionally, the Bank of Maldives has raised the international transaction limit on debit cards to USD 1,750, easing financial concerns for pilgrims during their journey. The President reaffirmed the Government’s full commitment to ensuring a safe, dignified, and spiritually enriching Hajj experience for all Maldivian pilgrims. From this year onward, Maldivians will travel via high-speed trains instead of buses, further enhancing their convenience.
Before the inauguration ceremony, President Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed met with the Maldivian pilgrims embarking on the first journey under the Makkah Route Initiative. They also observed the facilitation procedures taking place at VIA as part of the new system.
Makkah Route Steering Committee Chair Pays Courtesy Call On President Muizzu
Prior to the official inauguration of the Makkah Route Initiative, His Excellency Sulaiman bin Abdul Azeez Al Yahya, Advisor to the Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Makkah Route Initiative Steering Committee, paid a courtesy call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu at VIA.
During this meeting, President Muizzu thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and the Saudi Government for selecting the Maldives for the Makkah Route Initiative. He said the decision reflected Saudi Arabia’s high regard for its relationship with the Maldives.
His Excellency Al Yahya stated that the inclusion came under direct orders from King Salman and the Crown Prince, with instructions to implement the initiative this year without delay. He praised the Maldives as a disciplined and capable nation, citing its strong track record in Hajj management.
