Saudi Arabia Begins Deporting Unauthorized Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi authorities have initiated enforcing fines of up to 10,000 Riyals and deportation of pilgrims for performing the Hajj without a permit.

The country’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, in a statement, said the no-permit, no-Hajj policy applies to Makkah city, central areas, holy sites, the Haramain train station, security checkpoints, screening centres and temporary security checkpoints.

The regulation remains in force until June 20, 2024, it added.

The Saudi authorities issued NUSUK identification cards to pilgrims to ease their movement at the holy sites.

The ministry also said individuals caught transporting Hajj violators without a permit may face imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to 50,000 riyals, and confiscation of their vehicle.

It said non-citizen offenders would be deported following their sentence and prohibited from re-entering the kingdom for a set duration.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Security stressed that repeat offenders will incur double fines, underscoring the necessity of complying with Hajj regulations to guarantee the safety, security, comfort, and peace of Allah’s guests during their rituals.

Meanwhile, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has urged Nigerian pilgrims to always move around in Makkah with their NUSUK identity cards to avoid being arrested by the Saudi authorities.

He said pilgrims without the card would not be granted access to some premises in Saudi Arabia.