Saudi Strict Actions Anyone Who Misuses Visa For Hajj

Press conference of the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia Tawfiq F. Al Rabiah in Jakarta, Tuesday (30/4/2024). (ANTARA/Asep Firmansyah)

JAKARTA - The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has stated that it will take firm action against anyone who misuses visas, outside of visas issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

"The Saudi Arabian government will take firm action against anyone who uses visas outside the official Hajj visa," said Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, April 30.

Yaqut's affirmation was conveyed after the ranks of the Ministry of Religion held a meeting with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al Rabiah in Jakarta.

Yaqut said the provisions that must be met by Indonesian pilgrims the visa used to carry out the pilgrimage is only an official visa, namely a Hajj and mujammalah visa.

While pilgrimage visas, ummal visas (workers), or any visas that are outside the provisions, cannot be used for Hajj.

This provision also follows offers circulating on social media about hajj offers without going through queues. In fact, Hajj, especially for people in Indonesia, there has been a binding stipulation.

"Visas outside (visa hajj and mujammalah) cannot be used. Visa pilgrimages, ummal visas, any visas are used for Hajj services cannot be used," he said.

In addition to discussing visas for the pilgrimage, the meeting which was held for 1.5 hours also discussed the preparation of the Hajj season, the ease of vision, and the treatment of Indonesian pilgrims when in Saudi Arabia later.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq F. Al Rabiah conveyed the same thing. He emphasized that no one would be allowed to carry out the pilgrimage without using visas as regulated and visas issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

"So that no one is allowed to carry out the pilgrimage except using procedural visas," he said.