Dear Hajj Pilgrims, Excessive Photos In Masjid Nabawi Will Be Reprimanded

The second floor of the Prophet's Mosque after Friday prayers. (doc Kemenag.go.id)

JAKARTA - The Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH) asked Indonesian pilgrims who departed from the City of Mecca to the City of Medina in the second wave to pay attention to and comply with the regulations imposed in the Prophet's Mosque and surrounding areas.

"There are a number of prohibitions that the congregation must also pay attention to. Congregants are asked not to take pictures around the Prophet's Mosque excessively, let alone to unfurl banners," said Head of PPIH Makkah Working Area Mukhammad Khanif in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia, quoted by Antara, Thursday, July 21.

According to him, congregants are also not allowed to smoke in the Prophet's Mosque or the hotel area around it.

"Saudis are tightening smoking rules. There is a fine of up to 200 Saudi riyals or around Rp800 thousand in places where smoking is prohibited. For example, in the Prophet's Mosque and its surroundings. This should be a concern for the congregation," he said.

Head of PPIH Madinah Amin Handoyo previously also reminded Indonesian pilgrims about the imposition of fines for people caught smoking in the Prophet's Mosque and hotel areas around it.

"We don't know the mechanism yet, but in fact the announcement has been posted on the hotel, who smokes in the area and is 10 meters away from the area will be subject to a fine of 200 riyals," Amin said.

"There is a special confirmation from the Ministry of Health and also from Lajnah Khassah regarding this cigarette," he added.

The second batch of departures for Indonesian pilgrims from Makkah to Madinah begins on July 21 and is scheduled to end on August 4, 2022.

While in Medina, Indonesian Hajj pilgrims will carry out arbain worship or congregational prayers 40 times at the Prophet's Mosque and make pilgrimages.

Meanwhile, the first batch of repatriation of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims through the airport in Jeddah City begins July 15, 2022 and is scheduled to end July 29, 2022.