Saudi Arabia has warned visitors and residents against participating in the upcoming Hajj season 2024 without obtaining necessary permits.
Gulf News reported on February 23 that to ensure the smooth operation of this system and to mitigate potential violations, stringent penalties have been introduced.
Collaborating with the General Directorate of Passports, Saudi authorities have reportedly established severe consequences for individuals found to be violating Hajj regulations.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stressed that performing Hajj without obtaining necessary permits is illegal and attracts a fine of 50,000 Saudi Riyals (equivalent to 13,332 US dollars).
Additionally, individuals caught transporting pilgrims without proper permits will also be slapped with a fine of up to SR 50,000.
Expatriates found guilty of such violations will be jailed for six months, followed by deportation from Saudi Arabia. They will be prohibited from reentering the country for 10 years.
Additionally, those violating regulations will face public discreditation through media channels, according to Gulf News.
Saudi Arabia has reportedly allotted a quota of 7,000 pilgrims to Tajikistan who will be able to perform the annual Hajj ritual this year.
Each year, Saudi Arabia welcomes millions of Muslims from abroad traveling on Umrah and Hajj. Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a pilgrimage to Mecca which adult Muslims must make at least one in their lifetime, provided they are physically and financially able. The Hajj is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God. The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, eleven days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, the Gregorian date of the Hajj changes from year to year.
