Latest news with #SaudiMinistryofInterior
Gulf Today
2 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.
Leaders
18-05-2025
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia's 'Makkah Route' Surpasses One Million Pilgrim Milestone
The Saudi Ministry of Interior proudly announced a remarkable milestone, with the Makkah Route initiative successfully serving over one million pilgrims since its launch. This achievement underscores the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing the Hajj experience for Muslims worldwide. The Makkah Route Initiative operates in collaboration with several ministries, including Foreign Affairs, Health, Hajj and Umrah, and Media. Other partners include the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). This initiative has been running for seven years, enhancing the experience for pilgrims. Enhancing the Pilgrim Experience The Makkah Route Initiative aims to facilitate the hosting of pilgrims by providing high-quality services. It enhances the experience through qualified national staff who speak multiple languages and utilize modern technologies. This initiative creates a spiritual and human experience for pilgrims arriving from 11 airports in seven countries. This year, the Makkah Route Initiative operates in Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, Turkey, and Ivory Coast. It aims to simplify the procedures for pilgrims in their home countries. The process begins with collecting biometric data and issuing Hajj visas electronically. Upon departure, the initiative ensures that passport procedures are completed at the airport. It verifies health requirements and sorts luggage according to transportation and accommodation arrangements in the Kingdom. Pilgrims then board buses that take them directly to their accommodations in Makkah and Madinah. The Makkah Route Initiative significantly enhances the pilgrimage experience by ensuring a smooth transition for pilgrims. This initiative exemplifies the Kingdom's dedication to providing exceptional services to the guests of Allah. As the number of beneficiaries surpasses one million, the initiative continues to play a vital role in facilitating Hajj and Umrah journeys. Short link : Post Views: 1
Gulf Insider
16-05-2025
- Gulf Insider
Egyptian Arrested For Transporting Four Undocumented Individuals Who Lacked Official Hajj Permits
Saudi authorities have arrested four Indonesian residents in Madinah for allegedly defrauding individuals by falsely claiming to offer sacrificial animal slaughter (Hady) services for a fee. The suspects were apprehended by Madinah police and have been referred to the Public Prosecution following initial legal proceedings. Authorities stated the group had promoted fraudulent services targeting pilgrims through unofficial channels. The Saudi Public Security warned against deceptive advertisements circulating on social media, particularly those claiming to provide Hajj services on behalf of others, including Hady sacrifices, the sale of Hajj identification bracelets, and transportation arrangements. It cautioned that many of these offers originate from individuals and entities operating without authorization. Separately, Hajj security forces arrested an Egyptian national for transporting four undocumented individuals who lacked official Hajj permits. The group was intercepted en route to Mecca and has been referred to the appropriate judicial committee for sanctions. The Saudi Ministry of Interior has reiterated that only holders of official Hajj visas are permitted to perform the pilgrimage. Visit visa holders, regardless of category, are prohibited from entering Mecca and the holy sites between Dhul-Qa'dah 1 and Dhul-Hijjah 14. Violators face fines of up to 20,000 Saudi riyals ($5,300), deportation, and a 10-year reentry ban.
Egypt Today
16-05-2025
- General
- Egypt Today
Egypt's Grand Mufti: Performing Hajj Without Official Permit Violates Islamic Law
CAIRO – 16 May 2025: Dr. Nazir Ayyad, Egypt's Grand Mufti and Head of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, has affirmed that performing Hajj without an official permit from Saudi authorities constitutes a violation of Islamic law. Speaking to the state-run MENA news agency, Dr. Ayyad emphasized that regulatory permits are essential for ensuring the safety of pilgrims and the orderly organization of the Hajj rituals. He stated that compliance with such regulations, issued by the guardian (i.e., the Saudi authority), is a religious obligation. He further explained that disobeying the guardian in matters that serve the public interest—such as the regulation of Hajj—is impermissible under Islamic law. Therefore, performing Hajj without a permit is considered sinful due to the act of disobedience. Dr. Ayyad concluded by stressing that obtaining a permit has become a necessary condition for fulfilling the requirement of 'ability' in Hajj. Without a permit, a person is not deemed capable of performing the pilgrimage and thus is not religiously obligated to do so. Last year, approximately 600 Egyptian pilgrims died during an extreme heatwave in the 1445 Hajj season. These individuals did not have official Hajj permits and, as a result, lacked access to designated camps in the Arafat and Mina areas—locations where all pilgrims are required to stay during specific days of the pilgrimage. Many of these unregistered pilgrims had entered Saudi Arabia using visit visas rather than official Hajj visas and remained in the country until the Hajj season, often relying on unauthorized or dubious operators. Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Interior said on Friday that except for those arriving on official Hajj visas, holders of visit visas—regardless of their type or designation—are not permitted to perform Hajj. Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has previsouly affirmed that the relevant authorities will enforce the prescribed penalties against anyone who violates Hajj regulations. Individuals found attempting to perform Hajj without an official permit will face a fine of up to 20,000 riyals. The same fine applies to all visit visa holders—regardless of visa type—who enter, attempt to enter, or remain in Makkah between 1 Dhu al-Qi'dah and 14 Dhu al-Hijjah, the Ministry added. In addition, the regulations impose severe penalties of up to 100,000 riyals on anyone who facilitates the entry of violators into Makkah and the holy sites during the Hajj season. This includes knowingly issuing visit visas to individuals intending to perform Hajj, as well as transporting, sheltering, or concealing such violators.
Saudi Gazette
15-05-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia warns of SR20,000 fine and 10-year-ban for unauthorized Hajj entry
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The Saudi Ministry of Interior has clarified that visit visas of all types and designations, with the exception of the official Hajj visa, do not entitle their holders to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. In an official statement, the Ministry warned that violators attempting to enter or remain in Makkah or the holy sites between the first day of Dhul-Qi'dah and the end of the 14th day of Dhul-Hijjah using visit visas will face a fine of up to SR20,000. The Ministry further stated that all violators — including residents who attempt to perform Hajj without the appropriate permits — will be deported to their countries of origin and banned from entering the Kingdom for 10 years. The Ministry called on all residents, visitors, and citizens to comply strictly with Hajj regulations and instructions, which are designed to ensure the security and safety of pilgrims so they can perform their rituals in peace and comfort. Authorities urged the public to report violations by calling (911) in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or (999) in all other regions across the Kingdom.
