Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, has announced that Maldivian Hajj pilgrims are set to commence their journey to Mina tonight.

The Minister announced that the pilgrims will leave for Mina tonight at 9:30 PM Makkah time. That is 12:30 AM tonight in Maldives time.

Mina is a town situated around five kilometers from Makkah. Tents specifically allocated for housing pilgrims will be established there.

The Minister announced that the pilgrims will start their trek to Arafat tomorrow night, and that the Hajj Corporation is offering the best service and support to Maldivian pilgrims ever seen in Maldivian history.

Shaheem mentioned that the preparations for Mina and Arafat are thoroughly in place, and that the Maldives Hajj Mission is closely overseeing the matters concerning the pilgrims.

Prior to going to Arafat, the most significant pillar of Hajj, pilgrims will stay overnight in Mina before starting their journey to Arafat. Upon completing the key pillar of Hajj, they will spend a night in Muzdalifah and throw stones at the Jamarat in Mina on Eid day. Subsequently, they will perform actions like offering the Udhhiya, men cutting or shaving their hair, and exiting the state of Ihram.

Like last year, this year's Hajj participants from the Maldives also traveled through the Makkah Route arrangements. This program facilitates pilgrims in completing all necessary immigration procedures for both countries at their airport in their home country prior to departure.