Latest news with #MinistryofHajj
Ya Biladi
27-05-2025
- Ya Biladi
Saudi Arabia deports Moroccans attempting pilgrimage without valid Hajj visas
Saudi authorities have detained several Moroccan nationals who violated the Ministry of Hajj's regulations by entering the Kingdom to perform the pilgrimage without an official permit. This crackdown is part of a broader security campaign targeting unauthorized pilgrims. Sources informed Assabah that these Moroccans, who had initially entered Saudi Arabia for Umrah, will face immediate deportation back to Morocco. The campaign, part of the Kingdom's efforts to strictly enforce Hajj regulations, involved extensive checks at security points, Haramain train stations, and holy sites. Violators face fines of over 26,000 Moroccan dirhams, deportation, and bans from re-entering the Kingdom for legally determined periods. These measures reflect Saudi Arabia's commitment to ensuring the safe and organized management of the Hajj season, which welcomes over 1.5 million pilgrims annually. Penalties are severe, including possible imprisonment of up to 15 years, fines of up to 1 million Saudi riyals, and the confiscation of transportation and accommodations used to facilitate these violations.
Gulf Insider
12-05-2025
- Gulf Insider
New Saudi App Lets Pilgrims Show Hajj Permits Digitally
A Saudi government platform has launched a service allowing the display of all official permits linked to Hajj 2025 in a further step facilitating the movement of the faithful gathering in the holy places to perform the annual Islamic pilgrimage. The latest service via the Tawakkalna app is linked to the unified digital platform for Hajj permits, the 'Tasreeh' (permits) which has recently been launched by the Saudi Ministry of Interior in partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority. The Tawakkalna service facilitates the review of all types of Hajj permits issued by the Saudi government agencies that authorize holders, domestic and overseas pilgrims alike, to enter Mecca and the other holy service is technically integrated with the Ministry of Hajj via the 'Nusuk' platform. These permits include permits for Hajj season workers, permits for volunteers in all Hajj-related activities, and permits for the vehicles transporting them. Saudi authorities are enforcing stringent measures to keep undocumented pilgrims at bay and have instituted hefty penalties including heavy fines against violators and collaborators. Around 1.8 million pilgrims, including 1.6 million from abroad, performed last year's Hajj. Muslims who are physically and financially able must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime. Also read: Saudi Arabia: Kingdom Arrests 15,928 Illegals In One Week
Gulf News
29-04-2025
- Gulf News
Hajj 2025: When should pilgrims make customs declaration?
Cairo: With the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage season looming in sight, Saudi authorities have spelt out customs regulations for the faithful to make their holy journey smooth. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has called on foreign Muslims set to arrive in the kingdom to perform the Hajj rites to complete a customs declaration at the ports of entry and exit if they are carrying more than SR 60,000 or its equivalent in other currencies. The ministry has also called for completing a customs declaration when the pilgrim carries luggage and gifts in commercial quantities, the value of which exceeds SR 3,000. Under Saudi regulations, it is also necessary to submit a customs declaration when the passenger carries items that require the approval of the competent authorities, such as pharmaceutical products. Saudi authorities have warned against possessing prohibited items during the Hajj trip, pointing out that this could cause legal troubles and disrupt the smoothness of the journey. The Ministry of Hajj has urged pilgrims to abide by related instructions and avoid carrying unauthorised drugs, counterfeit currency, rare precious metals, and eavesdropping devices. The ministry has advised pilgrims to visit the website of the Saudi Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (Zatca) for more details.
Roya News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
67,000 Pakistanis left in limbo after Hajj funds sent to wrong Saudi account
Thousands of Pakistani pilgrims risk missing this year's Hajj after the government mistakenly transferred millions of dollars in payments to the wrong Saudi account, officials confirmed this week. Malik Muhammad Aamir Dogar, chair of Pakistan's Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, told lawmakers that around 50 million Saudi riyals ( USD 13.3 million) meant for Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj were instead sent to an account reportedly linked to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Dogar described the incident as one of the 'biggest scandals in the country's history," warning that 67,000 Pakistanis who had booked through the government's system could be left unable to travel. 'This is not just about money — it's about the dreams and faith of 67,000 Pakistanis,' he said. Dogar called for an investigation into whether government officials or private Hajj operators were responsible and demanded refunds if the pilgrims' journeys could not proceed. Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, federal minister for religious affairs, expressed regret and promised efforts were underway to recover the funds. He said the government had already secured an additional 10,000 Hajj slots and was negotiating for more. The error has worsened Pakistan's broader Hajj management crisis this year. Of the 179,210 Hajj places granted to Pakistan by Saudi Arabia, half were allocated to private operators, who have so far filled only 23,000 slots. Private companies blame delays on Saudi Arabia's new online booking system, while government officials accuse them of deliberately stalling. The mistake could also affect Pakistani dual nationals living in Europe and the Americas who registered for Hajj through Pakistan's portal after Saudi Arabia centralized bookings in countries such as the United Kingdom and United States.
