HADJ: Mauritius Could Receive Up to 1,000 Additional Visas, According to Shakeel Mohamed
Mauritius may, in the future, benefit from an additional 500 to 1,000 visas for the Hajj, provided that it fully adopts the Saudi system, particularly through the official digital platform Nusuk, which centralizes the various offers and procedures related to the pilgrimage. Present at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Plaisance this Sunday afternoon, on the occasion of the departure of the first 330 Mauritian pilgrims to Mecca, the minister responsible for the Hajj file, Shakeel Mohamed, accompanied by MPs Eshan Juman and Fawzi Allymun, praised the work of the various stakeholders, especially that of the Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC).
The minister also announced upcoming changes aimed at making the pilgrimage more accessible, better organized, and smoother for future pilgrims. "If we adopt the Nusuk system, the number of visas could increase by 500, or even 1,000 per year," said Shakeel Mohamed, responding to a question from Radio Plus regarding a potential increase in the quota granted to Mauritius. However, he clarified that negotiations would need to be conducted with the Saudi authorities to achieve this goal. In this regard, the president of the Islamic Cultural Centre, Shamad Ayoob Saab, stated that efforts are underway to facilitate procedures with the Saudi authorities. "We are working in this direction to allow Mauritius to obtain more visas," he indicated.
He also addressed the cancellation of visas for Mauritians under the age of 15, a situation he described as a "real test," which has ultimately been overcome.
Emotion, Prayers, and Relief at the Airport
The first Mauritian pilgrims departed the country this morning, Sunday, May 3, 2026, heading to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj. At the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Plaisance, the atmosphere was filled with emotion, prayers, tears, embraces, and hope.
Among them was the Allybocus family from Triolet. Idriss Allybocus is flying to Mecca alongside his wife, brother, and sister. Very emotional, he confides, "I am very moved... I have been waiting for this trip for several years... it's a dream coming true today."
Beside him, his brother Mansoor Allybocus could not hold back his tears. He too is realizing a long-held dream: "I am going to Mecca with a heart full of prayers. This is a journey I have dreamed of making for years."
Around them, families oscillate between joy and sadness. A relative of the group expresses this shared sentiment: "There is joy... but also a bit of sadness, as they will be away for several weeks... however, we are proud that they are performing the Hajj." Other pilgrims also see this departure as the culmination of years of sacrifices. This is the case for Jabir Lallmahamode, who is traveling with his wife and in-laws: "This is an exceptional occasion. We have made many sacrifices for nearly eight years. We ask for prayers for our family and for the country."
