President Solih visits Al-Masjid an-Nabawī

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday visited Al-Masjid an-Nabawī in Madina, Saudi Arabia.

Earlier in the day President and First Lady Fazna Ahmed Arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year.

During his visit, President Solih was welcomed by Assistant General President for the Affairs of the Prophet Mosque Dr Mohammed Al Khudairi.

The President was accompanied by Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed and the Chief of Staff at the President's Office Ali Zahir.

In an earlier statement, the President’s Office’s Spokesperson Mabrook Azeez told Sun that this was an unofficial trip being undertaken by the couple. 

“This trip is not included within the quota Maldives received this year. Going on their own,” he added.

As per the calendar, the Hajj pilgrimage of this year will commence on July 8.

Saudi Arabia granted a quota for 453 Maldivian hajj pilgrims this year – the lowest quota granted to the country in years.

Only Maldives Hajj Corporation was granted the opportunity by the government to send pilgrims for the annual Hajj pilgrimage this year. Of the slots, 352 were given to those that waitlisted with the corporation, and the remaining was decided through a draw.

The last group of Maldivian pilgrims traveling to Makkah, Saudi Arabia departed on Saturday night. President Solih had met the pilgrims at Velana International Airport, to bid them farewell.