22 Indonesian Citizens With Non-Hajj Visa Deported And Banned From Entering Saudi Arabia For 10 Years

Illustration - Muslims carry out tawaf ahead of the Rashdul Qibla event or the sun time right above the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Monday (27/5/2024). (ANTARA PHOTO/SIGID KURNIAWAN)

JAKARTA - A total of 22 non-hajj visa holders who were raided at the Ali Beer Mosque, Tuesday (28/5), were finally decided to be deported and also blocked (banned) for 10 years unable to enter Saudi Arabia.

"At night the Indonesian Consulate General returned to meet them and their decision was finally transferred to immigration. They will be sent home through deportation," said Indonesian Consul General Jeddah Yusron B. Ambary in Jeddah as reported by ANTARA, Friday, May 31.

Previously, 24 Hajj visa holders had to deal with Saudi Arabia's security forces when taking Miqat at Ali's beer on Tuesday (28/5).

They are known to be unable to show supporting documents for the pilgrimage when leaving Beer Ali for Makkah. Because they were considered illegal, they were eventually taken to the Saudi police station and had to undergo trial.

Yusron said the 22 people were currently in immigration and would be flown to the country on Saturday at 23.00 Saudi Arabian Time.

"We have conveyed to the congregation that they have been flooded for 10 years, but they have not been fined," he said.

Meanwhile, the fate of the other two people who are coordinators is still following the applicable legal process. In accordance with their provisions, they will be fined 50 thousand riyals, six months in prison and 10 years in prison.

"The legal process is still ongoing," he said.

Yusron reminded that this case should be a shared lesson, especially for non-hajj pilgrims and travel agents, not to try the same thing.

"The appeal is to carry out the pilgrimage with the right path. The minister said that the hajj, right, if you use a non-hajj visa, it is only not in accordance with the Shari'a," he said.