Saudi Arabia announces penalties for Hajj violations
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior has announced penalties for individuals who violate Hajj permit regulations and those who facilitate such violations.
The ministry said the following penalties would apply from Tuesday until approximately June 10.
A fine of up to $5,331.43 will be imposed on individuals caught performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit, and on holders of all types of visit visas who attempt to enter or stay in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period.
A fine of up to RO10,000 will also be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform Hajj without a permit, or who has entered or stayed in Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period. The fine will multiply for each individual involved.
The same fine will apply to anyone who transports or attempts to transport visit visa holders to Mecca and the holy sites during the specified period, as well as to those who shelter or attempt to shelter visit visa holders in any accommodation, including hotels, apartments, private housing, shelters, or housing sites for Hajj pilgrims.
This includes concealing their presence or providing assistance that enables their stay. The fine will multiply for each individual sheltered, concealed, or assisted.
A separate penalty would also apply to illegal infiltrators attempting to perform Hajj, whether residents or overstayers, and the guilty parties would be deported to their countries and banned from entering the Kingdom for ten years.
The ministry said the relevant court will be requested to confiscate land vehicles used to transport visit visa holders to Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, if owned by the transporter, facilitator, or any accomplices.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
28-05-2025
- Times of Oman
‘Passports of Pakistanis deported from Oman, GCC to be cancelled'
Muscat: Pakistani expats deported from Oman and other countries will have their passports cancelled on arrival, a senior official of the Pakistan government said. Pakistan's federal government has decided to take stringent measures against its citizens deported from other countries for illegal activities by cancelling their passports and registering criminal charges, in a bid to curb a growing issue that officials say is tarnishing the country's international image. This was announced following a meeting of Pakistan's Ministry of Interior, chaired by federal interior minister Mohsin Naqvi. Confirming this to Times of Oman, Ambassador of Pakistan to Oman, Syed Naveed Safdar Bokhari, said, 'It's is a step to check illegal immigration and to ensure that bonafide immigrants and job seekers come to Oman. This will also ensure that if anyone is arrested for violating law in Oman and deported, then that person will not be able to travel abroad again. This measure shows Pakistan's readiness to take tough measures to curb illegal immigration. This measure will help in ensuring that legal ways of promoting employment for Pakistani citizens in Oman are strengthened.' According to the Pakistan government, the names of the deported expats will also be placed on the passport control list for five years, putting restrictions on them to travel abroad. This decision was taken after a large number of people were deported from the Gulf and European countries for illegal stays and working illegally. There are millions of Pakistanis living and working in foreign countries, mainly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Europe, the US, Australia, Malaysia and others. The NCSI in Oman said that there were 318,208 Pakistani expatriates in Oman at the end of April 2025.
Observer
15-05-2025
- Observer
Omani pilgrims told to follow rules on sacrificial animals
Muscat: The Omani Hajj Mission urged all licensed Hajj and Umrah operators to abide by the regulations set by the relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the purchase of sacrificial animals (udhiyah and hady). In a statement, the mission confirmed that contracting for sacrificial services during the 1446 Hajj season must be done exclusively through approved platforms such as the Nusuk or Masar platforms, or direct purchase via the official sacrificial program of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to the Hajj mission, using unauthorised sources for the purchase of sacrificial animals is strictly prohibited. It aims to guarantee that all practices are carried out under Islamic legal standards.
Muscat Daily
14-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
Nakhal court slaps RO3,000 fine on car dealer for contract breach
Muscat – The Primary Court in Nakhal has fined a commercial establishment RO3,000 and terminated a vehicle purchase contract following a consumer complaint over a delayed and defective car delivery. In a complaint filed by a woman with the Consumer Protection Department in Barka, she stated that she purchased a 2022 model year used vehicle from a dealer for RO14,450 with delivery scheduled for January 25, 2025. However, the dealer not only failed to deliver the vehicle on time but supplied a different model with multiple defects despite the delay. Following the complaint, the matter was referred to the Public Prosecution and then to the court, which found three defendants guilty of two misdemeanours – failing to provide the agreed service and failing to disclose the vehicle's condition in the contract or invoice. Each defendant was fined RO500 for each offence, resulting in a total fine of RO3,000. The court also ordered the dealer to refund the full amount paid by the consumer (RO14,450), compensate the customer an additional RO500 and cover all legal expenses. Consumer Protection Authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumer rights and warned that it would continue to take strict legal action against violators. It also urged all commercial establishments to adhere to applicable laws and regulations to avoid similar legal action.
