Deportations start for illegal Hajj pilgrims

RIYADH – The government of Saudi Arabia has sprung into action against those who violate the standard rules and procedures regarding the Hajj season.

In this regard, the authorities have started enforcing fines of up to 10,000 riyals and deportation of pilgrims for performing the Hajj without a permit.

Media reports confirm that the no-permit, no-Hajj policy which applies to Makkah city, central areas, holy sites, the Haramain train station, security checkpoints, screening centers and temporary security checkpoints is now being implemented till June 20th, 2024.

As per the repeated announcements, individuals caught transporting Hajj violators without a permit may face imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to 50,000 riyals, and confiscation of their vehicle.

Meanwhile, non-citizen offenders will be deported following their sentence and prohibited from re-entering the kingdom for a set duration. Saudi Arabia’s Public Security has also emphasized that repeat offenders will have to face double fines, underscoring the necessity of complying with Hajj regulations to guarantee a seamless Hajj experience for every Muslim.

Meanwhile, the government of Saudi Arabia has finalized arrangements for hosting over 2 million pilgrims from across the world. The authorities have warned of strict penalties for those found violating the rules in the holy kingdom and expatriates can also face deportation.

For this year, the Interior Ministry of Saudi Arabia has also started a new digital ID service for pilgrims traveling to perform Hajj from different countries. The purpose of the service is to help the pilgrims make the Hajj journey memorable and to spot any illegal pilgrims.

The Saudi government introduced a new call center ‘1966’ for pilgrims to increase communication and to help them perform religious rituals without any hassle.