Latest news with #SAR100
Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Gulf Today
Saudi announces SAR100,000 fine for sheltering visit visa holders during Hajj
The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced that individuals found sheltering visit visa holders in the Holy City of Makkah or the Holy sites during the Hajj 2025 season will face strict penalties. This measure applies to any form of accommodation — including hotels, apartments, private residences, lodging centres, or Hajj housing sites — or who conceals them or provides assistance enabling them to remain in Makkah and the Holy sites from Dhu Al-Qidah 01 to Dhu Al-Hijjah 14. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Monday, violators may be fined up to SAR100,000. The ministry warned that penalties will increase based on the number of violating individuals accommodated, sheltered, or assisted. A Muslim pilgrim enters the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah on Monday. AP The ministry also urged the public to comply with Hajj regulations and instructions, which are designed to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, allowing them to perform their rituals with ease and tranquility. Muslim pilgrims prepare to enter the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AP It also called on the public to report any violations of these regulations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 in other regions of the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia stopped more than 269,000 people without permits for the annual Hajj pilgrimage from entering the Holy City of Makkah, officials said Sunday, as authorities crack down on illegal journeys into the city. The government blames overcrowding at the Hajj on unauthorised participants. It also says they made up large numbers of those who died in last year's searing summer heat. There are currently 1.4 million Muslims in Makkah officially, with more expected to arrive in the days to come.
Gulf News
06-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf News
UAE: Came empty-handed 40 years ago, Indian expat to return home a millionaire after Dh25 million Big Ticket win
Dubai: After working for 40 years in Saudi Arabia, Indian expat Thajudeen Aliyar Kunju has won the Dh25 million Big Ticket jackpot just before his return to his native Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala. Over the decades, Kunju weathered many ups and downs but never gave up. Now, at 61, he has struck the grand prize in the latest Abu Dhabi draw – and on only his fifth attempt. Reflecting on his journey during a phone call from Hail city in Saudi Arabia, the father of three daughters said God has been kind to him. 'I was my mother's only child. There was no one to help or guide me. With a fire in my belly to work and earn a living, I landed in Saudi Arabia in 1985. Like everyone else, I came to the Gulf with big dreams,' Kunju told Gulf News. Asked how much money he had when he arrived in Saudi Arabia, he paused and recalled: 'I somehow managed the journey via Bombay (now Mumbai). I don't even remember having any money in hand.' He added that Hail was nothing but sand and desert back then. 'My first job was at a farm,' said Kunju, who now runs a waterproofing and transport business. Shared among 16 families Kunju only recently learned about the Big Ticket raffle, and formed a group of 16 people, pooling money to try their luck over the past five months. 'I created this group so that even those who couldn't afford a ticket on their own would get a chance to win. With 16 members, each person's contribution was less than SAR100 (equal to Dh100). It was manageable for everyone.' The group includes 15 expats from Kerala and one from Tamil Nadu. 'We have people from Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, and Kollam. I'm the only one from Thiruvananthapuram.' Kunju pointed out that all group members have faced financial hardships. 'We've all started from zero, and even after decades here, some of us are still struggling. Many lost savings to failed businesses. Some don't even own a home back in Kerala. This win secures the future of 16 families.' A portion for charity Though 16 people contributed, they will divide the prize into 17 shares, with one part reserved for charity. 'When I formed the group, I made it clear that anyone joining must agree to donate one portion to help the needy if we won,' Kunju said. Why an Indian number? When hosts Richard and Bouchra announced the winner, they described Kunju as living in Kerala because he had listed his Indian phone number. 'I didn't give my Saudi number since I'll be returning home soon. The call first went to my wife in Kerala, who hung up after hearing unfamiliar voices.' Later, his relative in Dubai contacted him after seeing the show and asked if he had purchased a ticket. 'At first, I thought he was joking. But when we checked the number, it matched.' Organisers eventually reached Kunju on Monday. Looking ahead Now, Kunju is looking forward to spending time with his wife and children in Kerala. He plans to start a business and hopes to create jobs for others. 'If it works out, great. If not, I may return. I'm not getting younger, but after spending 40 years here, it's hard to say a final goodbye,' he said with a chuckle. He also plans to keep participating in Big Ticket raffles as well. 'Even from Kerala, I'll continue playing. The group will carry on.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
29-04-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fines on Unauthorized Hajj Pilgrims, Facilitators
The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced Monday fines on individuals who violate regulations requiring a permit to perform the Hajj, as well as for those who facilitate such violations. Starting from April 29 until the end of June 10, the following fines will apply: First, a fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on individuals caught performing or attempting to perform the 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. Second, a fine of up to SAR100,000 will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform the 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 Makkah city and the holy sites during the specified period, as well as to those who shelter or attempt to shelter visit visa holders in any accommodations, including hotels, apartments, private housing, shelters, or Hajj pilgrims' housing sites. This includes concealing their presence or providing assistance that enables their stay. The fine will multiply for each individual sheltered, concealed, or assisted. Third, illegal infiltrators attempting to perform the Hajj, whether residents or overstayers, will be deported to their countries and banned from entering the Kingdom for ten years. Fourth, 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.
Khaleej Times
28-04-2025
- Khaleej Times
Hajj 2025: Saudi Arabia announces stricter penalties, fines against visa violators
To crackdown on those who attempt to perform Hajj without permits, Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced on Monday strict penalties against offenders. Those who will be caught performing the pilgrimage without a permit will face a fine of up to SAR20,000, whereas anyone who applies for a visit visa for another who performed Hajj will be subject to a fine of up to SAR100,000, the Ministry said in a statement published by the kingdom's state news agency. Violators and those who infiltrate to perform Hajj without a permit will be deported and prevented from entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years.
Asharq Al-Awsat
08-04-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Interior Ministry to Impose Fines on Hajj, Umrah Firms Failing to Report Overstays
The Saudi Ministry of Interior emphasized on Monday that Hajj and Umrah service companies and establishments must strictly abide by all related regulations and instructions in the Kingdom. It announced that fines will be imposed on any company or establishment serving pilgrims and Umrah performers that delays reporting individuals who remain in the Kingdom beyond their authorized stay to the relevant authorities. Fines can reach SAR100,000 (USD26,000) and will be multiplied based on the number of individuals who violate their departure deadlines.
