Hajj queue now stretches to 2043, a 17-year wait

People registering for Hajj now will only be able to perform the pilgrimage in 2043, some 17 years from now, according to the Maldives Hajj Corporation.

The update follows new regulations that came into force last Thursday under amendments to the Pension Act, allowing individuals aged over 65 to use funds in their Retirement Savings Account (RSA) to finance the obligatory Hajj pilgrimage.

Speaking on PSM's Raajje Miadhu programme, Abdulla Muaz, Head of Marketing and Public Relations at the Maldives Hajj Corporation, said the changes would not affect the existing Hajj queue.

At the same programme, Chief Communication Officer of the Pension Office Shamaan Shakir said statistics show that about 24,000 people are eligible to perform Hajj through the pension scheme. He also mentioned that 369 people have performed Hajj using their retirement savings since 2019.

According to Muaz, Hajj slots will continue to be allocated based on the order in which payments are made.

“We are currently allocating Hajj slots for the year 2043,” Muaz said.

He explained that individuals joining the queue now would face a waiting period of approximately 17 years before receiving a place for Hajj.

According to information shared by the Maldives Pension Administration Office, members will be eligible to reserve a Hajj slot using their retirement savings if they have not previously performed the obligatory Hajj and have at least MVR 336,000 in their Retirement Savings Account.

For members who have used pension savings as collateral for housing-related financing, eligibility will be determined based on whether at least MVR 336,000 remains in the account after deducting the pledged amount.

Under the scheme, applicants seeking to perform Hajj must first pay 20 percent of the pilgrimage cost to the Maldives Hajj Corporation before applying to the Pension Office to cover the remaining amount from their retirement savings.

However, the required funds will not be withdrawn immediately from the member's retirement account. The Pension Office said the money will continue to be invested until it is transferred to the Hajj Corporation when required.

Concerns over the growing Hajj waiting list have increased in recent years, with prospective pilgrims often required to wait many years for a place. Saudi Arabia currently allocates the Maldives an annual Hajj quota of 1,000 pilgrims.