Hajj visa mandatory for performing pilgrimage rituals
Saudi police said they had arrested a citizen for posting online adverts promoting “fictitious and misleading” trips for the upcoming Islamic Hajj pilgrimage in the kingdom.
Arrested by police in the holy city of Mecca, home to Islam’s holiest mosque, the man is accused of promoting campaigns on social media claiming providing housing and transportation for pilgrims in the sacred sites during the Hajj rites due in early June.
Police have accused the man of touting the campaign with the purpose of fraud.
The Mecca police said the accused has been referred to the public prosecution and urged members of the public to abide by the Hajj regulations and report about violators.
Saudi authorities have repeatedly said that a Hajj visa is mandatory to perform the pilgrimage rites and that a visit visa does not qualify its holder to undertake the holy journey.
Earlier this month, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah warned Muslims wishing to perform the Hajj against dealing with unauthorised outlets.
The ministry said the pilgrim must obtain a Hajj visa issued by Saudi authorities, in coordination with Hajj Affairs offices in 80 countries, or through the Nusk Hajj platform, designated for pilgrims coming from 126 countries.
Saudi Arabia has also set April 29 as the deadline for all foreign Umrah pilgrims to leave the country.
Staying beyond this date is deemed an offence that makes the violator liable to legal penalties.
The warning comes amid concerns about attempts by some foreign visitors to overstay their Umrah visas to illegally perform the Hajj in and around of Mecca.
Hajj is one of Islam’s five obligatory duties. Muslims who are physically and financially able must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.
Source: Gulf news
