Hajj Corporation: Hajj pilgrims aged above 65 will be allowed escort of one family member on waitlist

Hajj pilgrims aged above 65 years will have the opportunity to take one family member who is also on the waitlist on the holy pilgrimage next year, says Mohamed Firzul Abdulla Khaleel, managing director of Maldives Hajj Corporation.

In an appearance on PSM’s ‘Raajje Miadhu’ program on Monday night, Firzul noted that the government has decided to guarantee slots for next year’s hajj for all individuals aged above 70 years who have been in queue for at least three years after paying to embark on the holy pilgrimage.

He said the decision will not result in any delay in the pilgrimage of individuals aged 65 – 69, who were expected to be able to go on hajj next year.

Firzul added that if pilgrims who fall within this age category had paid to perform hajj with family members, then one family member will be allowed to escort them on next year’s hajj.

“The priority mechanism will be applied equally. This is what the government has decided: to provide equal opportunity to all. Its possible that three or four members of a family had paid. However, only one family member will be granted the opportunity,” he said.

Hajj Corporation estimates the new priority policy will allow 323 people aged above 70 to perform hajj next year. This includes 86 individuals aged above 75, who will be allowed to take a caretaker to assist them on the pilgrimage.