President Dr Mohamed Muizzu held high-level meetings with senior Saudi officials during his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he is currently undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage with First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation. The Government of Saudi Arabia is hosting the delegation in a gesture that underscores the strong and longstanding ties between the two nations.
On Saturday, President Muizzu met His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, at Al-Mina Palace. The President expressed his deep appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince, and the Saudi Government for their generous hospitality and continued support to Maldivian pilgrims. He also commended the exceptional services provided during this year’s Hajj.
The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, exchanging views on areas of mutual interest and cooperation aimed at deepening the fraternal bond between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia.
President Muizzu was accompanied by Minister of Finance and Treasury Moosa Zameer, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel, Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol Mohamed Shahudy.
The Crown Prince was joined by senior Saudi officials, including Deputy Governor of Makkah Prince Saud bin Mashal bin Abdul Aziz; Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman; Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan; Minister of the National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar; Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef; and Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal.
Yesterday, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfig F. Al-Rabiah paid a courtesy call on President Muizzu at the Hajj and Umrah Office in Minaa. President Muizzu extended his gratitude to the Saudi leadership for their unwavering support to Maldivian pilgrims. He praised the Kingdom’s outstanding arrangements for this year’s Hajj and highlighted the positive impact of the Maldives’ participation in the Makkah Route Initiative, which has streamlined travel and immigration procedures for pilgrims.
President Muizzu’s engagements reaffirm the close partnership between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia and reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation across religious, economic, and diplomatic spheres.
