Hajj Pilgrims Must Know! Smoking Around Masjid Nabawi Will Be Fined Rp800 Thousand

Head of Madinah Working Area (Daker) Amin Handoyo (ANTARA/HO

JAKARTA - The Head of the Medina Working Area Amin Handoyo reminded the pilgrims of a fine of 200 Riyals or Rp. 800 thousand if they smoke around the Prophet's Mosque and the surrounding hotel area in Medina.

"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 told the Hajj Media Center (MCH) in Madinah, Antara, Tuesday, July 19.

The smoking ban issued by the Government of Saudi Arabia is clearly displayed in the area of the Prophet's Mosque, as well as the area close to the hotel which is 10 meters away.

"Indeed there is a special confirmation from the Ministry of Health and also from Lajnah Khassah, related to this cigarette," he said.

Amin explained that smoking ban announcements had been posted in the corners of each hotel.

However, he has not received detailed information about the application of the sanctions, whether they are immediately fined when someone is caught red-handed or a warning is given first.

Smoking rules in Medina were not very strict, initially only in the area of the Prophet's Mosque. While around the hotel many worshipers are allowed to smoke. There are even some hotels that do provide a special smoking area.

The second batch of pilgrims will start moving from Mecca to Medina on July 21, 2022. They will perform the arbaeen or congregational prayers for 40 times and make a pilgrimage.