President starts work on increasing Haj quota from 1000 to 2000.

Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh  Mohamed Shaheem Ali has said that President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has started to increase Haj quota from 1000 to 2000. At a news conference held at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh  Shaheem said by the grace of the almighty, inshallah Maldives will get the 2000 quota. And the President has confidence in getting the amount.

Some Haj groups have taken money from the people, beyond the quota level. Speaking about this , Sh  eikh Shaheem said, Islamic Ministry has called  on the groups not to take money when the quota level is upto the level several times. He said some groups did take money when the quota was over and some groups took money from the pilgrims last year when they were on Haj. And such cases have been submitted to the Ministry , he said.

 Highlighting on not getting extra 500 on haj quota this year, Shaheem said the Saudi government did not give extra quota to nay of the countries this time. He said it was due to the enlargement work of the Haram, and the construction of the hotels near Haram. But inspite of this President Waheed is working on getting extra quota to Maldives, Shaheem said.

Sheikh Shaheem said, during his official visit to Saudi Arabia this year he met the Minister of Haj of Saudi Arabia. And the minister highlighted that Maldives always abide to the rules and regulations set by the Saudi  Government on Haj  work. And for this Sheikh Shaheem thanked all the people of the country and he said he hoped that Maldivians will sustain the tag Maldives has got.