Interior Ministry confirms slapping penalties on violators of Hajj permit regulations
Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH — Ministry of Interior Spokesman Col. Talal bin Shalhoub confirmed that penalties are now being imposed against those who are caught while entering or staying in Makkah and the holy sites to perform Hajj without a permit after arriving in the Kingdom on a visit visa. Addressing the Digital Communication Conference in Jeddah, he stated that such violators will face a maximum fine of SR20000.
Col. Talal said that anyone facilitating these violations — such as applying for visas, transporting, sheltering, concealing, or assisting violators will face a fine of up to SR100000. Fines are applied per individual violation. Expatriates or overstayers caught attempting Hajj without a permit will be deported and banned from the Kingdom for 10 years, he noted.
The spokesman warned against fraudulent Hajj campaigns offering services like accommodation, transport, fake Hajj services, sacrificial animals, or fake bracelets.
The Ministry of Interior announced earlier imposition of a penalty of up to SR20,000 for any individual caught performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit during the period between April 29 and Dhul Hijjah 14. This includes visit visa holders trying to enter or remain within the geographical area of Makkah, the holy sites, the Central Haram Area, the Haramain High-Speed Railway station in Al-Rusayfah district, and all security and grouping centers.
The ministry stated that residents and overstayers attempting to perform Hajj unlawfully will be deported to their home countries and prohibited from re-entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a period of 10 years. Emphasizing adherence to Hajj and Umrah regulations, it urged pilgrims to comply and report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Saudi Gazette
50 Saudis and expats penalized for transporting 205 unauthorized pilgrims
Saudi Gazette report MINA — The Ministry of Interior has penalized 50 people, including 35 Saudi citizens and 15 expatriates, for violating the Hajj regulations. The ministry announced that the Hajj Security Forces arrested them at the entry points to Makkah while transporting a total of 205 individuals without Hajj permits. The ministry issued administrative decisions through the seasonal administrative committees against the transporters, their accomplices, and those who were provided with transportation. The penalties included imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000, publicizing names of violators in the local media at their own expense, and deportation of residents with a 10-year ban from re-entering Saudi Arabia after serving their sentence. The ministry also called for the judicial confiscation of vehicles used in the unauthorized transport of pilgrims and the imposition of a fine of up to SR20,000 on those, who attempted to perform Hajj without a permit. The ministry urged all citizens and residents to comply with Hajj regulations to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Saudi Gazette
1 year jail and SR10,000 fine for Asian national for running fake Hajj campaign
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The Criminal Court in Makkah sentenced an Asian national to one year in prison and a fine of SR10,000 for running a fake Hajj campaign via a social media site with the intent to defraud aspiring pilgrims. The court's ruling also included the confiscation of all devices and means used in committing the crime. Security authorities arrested the resident and seized from him receipts that related to the illegal activity. He was then referred to the Public Prosecution, which in turn referred him to the Criminal Court. The Public Prosecution stressed that involving in fake campaigns is a major crime punishable by arrest, affirming its continued pursuit of all those who tamper with Hajj regulations and bringing them to justice.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Man jailed for illegal Hajj pilgrimage operation
RIYADH: A Saudi resident has been jailed for a year for setting up an illegal Hajj operation with the intention of obtaining funds through deception via social media. The public prosecution referred the defendant to the criminal court after he was found in possession of receipts connecting him to the criminal operation. A preliminary ruling sentenced him to one year in prison and imposed a 10,000 riyal ($2,666) fine, along with the confiscation of all devices and tools used in the crime. The public prosecution said the creation of fake Hajj operations was a major crime punishable by detention and added that it would continue to pursue those who broke Hajj regulations. Meanwhile, Hajj security forces arrested 36 residents who tried to enter Makkah without the correct permits. They were referred to the relevant authority.
