President urges unity in special address from Arafah

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu offered prayers for friendship and solidarity among Maldivian citizens on Thursday, in an address on occasion of the Day of Arafah or Day of Hajj.

President Muizu, who is in Saudi Arabia for the annual hajj pilgrimage, conveyed greetings on occasion of the Day of Arafah in a special video message from Arafah.

He prayed that every citizen is enveloped in Almighty Allah’s mercy and continually blessed with peace, wellbeing, and prosperity.

“May a sense of unity, friendship and kinship grow in our hearts,” he said.

He also prayed for the hajj of all pilgrims to be accepted, for the prayers of every Muslim to be answered, and for all to be granted Allah’s forgiveness in this life and the hereafter.

1446 ވަނަ އަހަރުގެ ޙައްޖު ދުވަހު ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ދެއްވި ވީޑިއޯ މެސެޖް pic.twitter.com/x5JKWHQBmz

— The President's Office (@presidencymv) June 5, 2025

President Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, accompanied by a high-level delegation of government officials, left for hajj at the invitation of the Saudi government last weekend.

They join some 1,000 Maldivian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s hajj.

In a statement on Thursday morning, the Maldives Hajj Mission said that all Maldivian pilgrims have safely arrived in Arafah, and are in good health.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken at least once by all Muslims who are able to.

The pilgrimage occurs annually between the eighth and 13th days of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th and final month on the Islamic lunar calendar.

Worshippers take part in four days of ceremonies with the high point coming on the second day with mass outdoor prayers on Mount Arafat, the hill where the Prophet Mohamed delivered his last sermon.

The Eid al-Adha begins on Friday.