Saudi Arabia and the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)'s first government and former President Abdulla Yameen have very close ties, presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said on Thursday, promising to seek additional Hajj quota for Maldives.
Speaking during a campaign rally in Lhaviyani Naifaru, Muizzu claimed that the country has not benefited from the foreign relations of the current government, but instead, it appears that the agreements with a particular country have led to the loss of independence.
But Yameen's close relationship with Saudi King Salman led to progress including the Islamic Center built in Male' during his government, the capital city's Mayor and the opposition candidate stated.
Muizzu said Maldives has a fixed Hajj quota for 1,000 people resulting in a long wait even for people who can afford to perform the pilgrimage.
“I am not making a pledge, but I will work for it. I will work to increase the Hajj quota to 2,000 and I will request to increase the quota even more,” he said.
"Everyone knows that King Salman and President Yameen had a very close relationship. That connection will remain [in the next PPM government]."
