Ambassador Ahmed Sareer, the Maldivian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, has stated that the Makkah Route Initiative is a system available to countries with very good relations with Saudi Arabia, and the establishment of this initiative for the Maldives demonstrates the strength of the relationship between the two countries. The Ambassador said this in an interview given after the event held to welcome the first group of pilgrims from the Maldives to Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Route Initiative. Ambassador Ahmed Sareer, the Maldivian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said that under the Makkah Route Initiative, all pilgrims received a great deal of convenience. He said that all pilgrims showed great happiness, and the pilgrims noted the quality of all services and arrangements.
In his remarks, the Ambassador highlighted that the Makkah Route is a system for countries with very good relations with Saudi Arabia, saying that the strong relationship between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia has been revealed and made evident through the Makkah Route Initiative. The Ambassador also said that the quick arrangement of the Makkah Route matters is also evidence of the closeness of the relationship between the two countries. “I was present at the first meeting where these discussions took place. Earlier this year, when officials from both countries’ immigration departments were talking, the Saudi side initially responded to the proposal from the Maldivian government by saying that this system is given to countries with very good arrangements. They noted that the Maldives has always been a country where all arrangements are good for pilgrims coming here, and that they would give special consideration,” said Ambassador Ahmed Sareer.
The Maldives is the 8th country for which the Saudi government has arranged the Makkah Route Initiative. Under Vision 2030 initiated by the Saudi Arabian government, the Makkah Route Initiative service is provided to countries that send at least 20,000 pilgrims for Hajj. However, this initiative has been arranged for the Maldives after making an exception. And the Minister of Islamic Affairs has stated that this is a special gift given by the Saudis without any agreement.”
