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New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Indonesian pilgrim dies trying to enter Makkah illegally via desert
JEDDAH: An Indonesian national travelling to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform the haj died from severe dehydration after attempting to enter the city illegally via a desert route. Indonesian portal Tempo reported that the Indonesian citizen identified only as SM was stranded in the Jumum desert along with two other Indonesian nationals, identified as J and S. The Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah said that the trio had tried to reach Makkah without following official procedures. "They were determined to enter Makkah illegally," said Indonesian Consul General Yusron Ambary in a written statement on Sunday (June 1). SM and the others held multiple-entry pilgrimage visas, which permit visits to Saudi Arabia but are not valid for performing the haj. Yusron said SM and 10 other Indonesian nationals had previously been detained during a security raid and deported to Jeddah. Despite this, SM, J, and S attempted to return using an illegal desert route arranged through a clandestine taxi service. The driver, reportedly fearing detection by security patrols, abandoned them in the desert, where they were later discovered by a local security drone. SM had died by the time help arrived, while J and S were hospitalised. "SM's body is currently in a Makkah hospital awaiting visa processing," said Yusron, adding that the consulate is in contact with SM's family in Madura to arrange the burial. He warned Indonesians against attempting to perform the haj through unofficial means, stressing the dangers involved. "Do not endanger lives or risk failing to perform the haj just to force it illegally," Yusron said.
The Star
11-05-2025
- The Star
Saudi Arabia nabs 30 Indonesian 'pilgrims' for visa violation
An employee places a special shoulder strap on the luggage of haj pilgrims on May 6, 2025, at the Donohudan haj dormitory in Boyolali, Central Java. - Antara JAKARTA: Saudi Arabian authorities have arrested 30 Indonesian travellers at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah for entering the country to go on haj without the appropriate visa. Instead of the visas issued specifically for the haj and umrah (minor pilgrimage), the group had arrived on a type of visit visa known as ziarah, which allows foreign nationals to enter Saudi Arabia for a certain period to pursue non-pilgrimage activities, such as visiting family or travelling to historical sites. The entry date for holders of the ziarah visa ended on April 13, after which only haj visa holders may enter to complete the pilgrimage. But ziarah visa holders can still enter Saudi Arabia for non-pilgrimage activities. 'They paid Rp 150 million [US$9,090] for the visa, despite being fully aware that their visa cannot be used for haj,' Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Yuson B. Ambary said on Thursday, as quoted by Yusron said the consulate general in Jeddah had previously received a notice from Saudi immigration authorities that 50 Indonesians had tried to enter the country for haj using the seasonal worker visa and were immediately deported. Hilman Latief, director general of haj and umrah organisation at the Religious Affairs Ministry, repeatedly warned potential pilgrims that they would not be allowed to enter Mecca without the haj visa. 'Be careful of parties offering [visa] services without legal clarity to avoid potential fraud,' Hilman said on May 1 during the send-off ceremony for the first group of Indonesian pilgrims, as quoted by Local officials noted that some travel agencies offered a more affordable haj package compared to the government's and promised easier processing, but had provided customers with tourist visas instead. Foreign visitors caught attempting to go on haj without the proper visa can face sanctions such as a maximum fine of 10,000 Saudi Arabian riyal (Rp 440 million), detention or deportation. Riyadh has increased patrols and surveillance in a clampdown on illegal pilgrims for haj 2025, which runs from June 4 to 9. It has granted Indonesia a quota of 221,000 pilgrims this year. An estimated 1.8 million Muslims from across the globe are expected to travel to Mecca for haj this year. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
