Hajj Corporation charters flight to fly out 164 stranded pilgrims

164 pilgrims who were unable to embark on their umrah pilgrimage for various reasons will be flown out to Saudi Arabia on Sunday night, according to Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.

Last week, Shaheem said there were some 150 pilgrims who have asked for assistance from the government after they were unable to fly out to Saudi Arabia for their pilgrimage, mainly due to cancellation of flights.

In a post on X on Sunday afternoon, Shaheem said this number has since risen to 164.

Shaheem said that the Maldives Hajj Corporation has chartered a flight from the national airline, Maldivian, to fly out the stranded pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on Sunday night.

He said that the Hajj Corporation has also arranged their accommodation in Mecca.

Shaheem also thanked President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, saying that he had paid special attention to resolving the issue.

ޢުމްރާއަށް ފުރުމުގައި އެކި ސަބަބުތަށް ދިމާވެގެން ނުފުރުނު 164 ޢުމްރާވެރިން މާތް ﷲ އިރާދަކުރެއްވިއްޔާ މިރޭ ޢުމްރާއަށް ފުރޭ ގޮތަށް ވަނީ ހަމަޖެހިފަ. މޯލްޑިވްސް ހައްޖު ކޯޕަރޭޝަންގެ ފަރާތުން ވަނީ މޯލްޑިވިއަންގެ ފްލައިޓެއް ޗާޓަރ ކޮށްފަ. މައްކާގެ އިންތިޒާމްތައް ވެސް ވަނީ ހަމަޖެހިފަ. މި…

— Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (@Mohamedshaheem1) March 8, 2026

The decision to charter a flight comes after the Hajj Corporation arranged travel and accommodation last week for 28 pilgrims from local travel agency, Al Abrar, who had their original trip cancelled.

The lastminute cancellation of the trip affected 110 pilgrims, and is the subject of an investigation by both the Islamic Ministry and the police.