More than 4,000 Maldivians travel for Umrah during school holidays

More than 4,000 Maldivians have travelled for Umrah during the ongoing academic holidays, according to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said in a message shared with the media that over 4,000 pilgrims have departed in various groups over the past days. He noted that all travellers are in good condition and performing their pilgrimage without major issues.

A large number of Maldivians began travelling to Saudi Arabia as the first school holidays of the year coincided with Independence Day on July 26, creating a popular window for families and groups to undertake Umrah.

Travelling for Umrah during school breaks has become increasingly common in recent years. More than 7,000 Maldivians went for Umrah during the previous school holidays, while hundreds more take advantage of the long year-end holidays to travel to Mecca annually.