Efforts are under way to bring back 50 Maldivian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia after transit flights were cancelled amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Islamic Affairs Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said this evening.
Speaking at a press conference held by the Special Cabinet Committee formed by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to monitor the situation, Minister Shaheem said the pilgrims were unable to return to the Maldives after their airline cancelled flights.
He said arrangements are being made in coordination with the Maldives Hajj Corporation to bring them back on the national airline, Maldivian.
“Today I received information that 50 Umrah pilgrims are facing difficulties returning to the Maldives due to the cancellation of flights by an airline,” Shaheem said.
The minister noted that more than 2,000 Maldivians who travelled for Umrah during Ramadan are currently in Saudi Arabia, adding that they are all in good condition.
Minister Shaheem also said the government had resolved difficulties faced by some pilgrims who were scheduled to travel from the Maldives to Saudi Arabia via transit routes affected by flight cancellations.
“The government chartered a flight and sent them all for Umrah,” he said.
He added that pilgrims who were unable to depart earlier due to flight cancellations were also transported on a chartered Maldivian Airlines flight.
Minister Shaheem said the ongoing tensions in the Middle East are not expected to affect preparations for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
“For Hajj related matters, there is no indication yet that there will be any disruption due to these developments. Everything related to Hajj will be very well organized,” he said.
According to the Islamic calendar, Hajj is expected to begin on May 26 this year.
The minister said the Maldives was among the first countries to complete Hajj preparations, adding that visas have already been arranged for all pilgrims within the 1,000 quota allocated to Maldives. All other arrangements for the pilgrims have also been finalized, he said.
