International
During the official visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to the Maldives at the invitation of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, following official talks held in Male' on 15 September 2026, two Memorandums of Understanding regarding defence and Islamic affairs were exchanged, and it was decided to commence negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement. In addition, following the interception and shooting down of drones by defence forces, security alerts issued regarding suspected drone attacks that could target Mecca, Jeddah, and Taif in Saudi Arabia were lifted within a short period, and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs confirmed that all Maldivian Umrah pilgrims present in the country at that time were safe and in good condition.
The official visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to the Maldives is an important visit aimed at further strengthening the long-standing close relations between the two countries. During this visit, high-level discussions are scheduled to take place regarding meeting with senior officials of the Maldivian government and increasing cooperation between the two countries in trade and the economic sector, as well as educational and cultural fields. In addition, the signing of agreements to strengthen relations across various sectors for the benefit of the citizens of both countries, as well as the importance of both nations working together in the international arena, will also be discussed during this visit.
Following the warning issued by relevant authorities forecasting that the weather could turn bad and become hazardous in various cities of Saudi Arabia, special measures have begun being taken to ensure the safety of Umrah pilgrims present in that country. In this regard, Umrah pilgrims active in key areas, including Mecca and Medina, have been urged to be attentive to weather conditions and to act in accordance with instructions provided by relevant authorities. Additionally, emergency assistance teams have also been placed on standby to establish a safe environment for performing the rituals of Umrah.