Government seeks increased Hajj quota for Mauritian pilgrims

Government has requested an increase in the number of visas granted to Mauritian pilgrims, with a view to raising the country’s Hajj quota from 1,500 to 2,500.

The request was discussed during a meeting, today at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis, between the Prime Minister, Dr Navin Ramgoolam, and the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, who is on an official visit to Mauritius.

The meeting further provided an opportunity to take stock of the USD 6 million donation granted by Saudi Arabia for the benefit of mosques in Mauritius. An agreement governing this contribution will be signed shortly between the two Governments.

Earlier, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia called on the Minister of Housing and Lands, Mr Shakeel Mohamed, at his office in Ébène, before proceeding to the Islamic Cultural Centre, where several personalities were also present, namely: the Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations, Mr Reza Uteem; the Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives, Mr Aadil Ameer Meea; the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Mahendra Gondeea; the Junior Minister, Mr Fawzi Allymun; and the Member of Parliament, Mr Eshan Juman.

In a statement at the Islamic Cultural Centre, Minister Mohamed described Minister Al-Rabiah’s visit as a historic one that demonstrates the importance Mauritius holds for Saudi Arabia. He highlighted the longstanding ties between the two countries and recalled the assistance extended by Saudi Arabia to Mauritius in recent years, amounting to some USD 240 million.

Minister Mohamed outlined that a government project aimed at improving the management of Hajj-related procedures is expected to be finalised in the coming days. The initiative provides for the introduction of a new online registration portal to centralise the management of applications and other matters related to the pilgrimage.

The forthcoming participation of the Special Hajj Committee in the sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition, to be held in Jeddah in November 2026, was also on the agenda.

14 September 2026

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