President Dr Mohamed Waheed today returned to Male’ after departing on an official visit to Saudi Arabia last week.
During his visit, Dr Waheed held meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to discuss bilateral relations between the Maldives and their respective nations, according to the President’s Office.
President’s Office Media Secretary Masood Imad confirmed that President Waheed had also performed an Umra pilgrimage whilst in Saudi Arabia.
The president’s visit followed reports that his predecessor, former President Mohamed Nasheed, last week had his own request to perform Umra rejected by Saudi authorities.
However, local media reported yesterday (July 14) that Nasheed had now been granted a visa, allowing him to conduct an Umra pilgrimage.
Parliament Speaker Abdulla Shahid and former Attorney General Ahmed Ali Sawad have also been granted visas, according to local media.
