Unlike previous years, arrangements have been made for Maldivian pilgrims to stay together at Mina and Arafat, the Islamic ministry said on Wednesday.
The ministry gave the assurance after talks with the travel agency Al Bait Guests which serves Maldivians in Saudi Arabia.
According to the ministry, discussions mainly focused on making more convenient arrangements for Maldivians during this year's Hajj pilgrimage and on the latest preparations by Al Bait to serve Maldivian pilgrims at Mina and Arafat.
Based on the agency's service in previous years, improvements that need to be made have been brought to their attention, the ministry said.
Al Bait's managing director Usama Abdulla Dhanish noted during the meeting that services to pilgrims would be improved further this year, the ministry said.
While the Maldives was awarded an official Hajj quota of 1000 this year, the government has asked for it to be increased to 2500.
The ministry said the quota could be increased by about 1000 based on numbers approved by the Saudi authorities in the past.
The official Hajj quota for the Maldives has been 1000 for several years. The number dropped to 435 due to covid but was reverted this year.
