Police and MNDF personnel to accompany and assist hajj pilgrims

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said that discussions are ongoing to allow police and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) personnel to accompany and assist people going for hajj.

He said this while speaking at a press conference at Islamic Centre today to inaugurate the services of Hajj Corporation.

“This will, for one thing, give police and MNDF personnel the opportunity to go for hajj. For another, the people representing Hajj Corporation would be responsible, good people who are willing to assist pilgrims,” he said.

Dr Shaheem said that once this is decided, ten officers from every institution will have the opportunity to go for hajj for free every year.

He said that these slots will be counted as part of the hajj quota given to Maldives.

Dr Shaheem said that it has been decided to give 50 percent of the total quota given to Maldives to Hajj Corporation.

“Three or four hajj groups – we haven’t decided how many yet – will be given permission for a period of three years. This will allow them to expand and improve their services. We hope this will lead to good policies,” he said.

He said that efforts are ongoing continuously to make the hajj process easier for Maldivians.