31-5-2024 (JAKARTA) In a firm stance against visa violations, the Saudi Arabian authorities have intensified raids to prevent unauthorized pilgrims from performing the Hajj without proper permits. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah was present during the questioning of 24 Indonesian citizens apprehended by Saudi security forces in Medina on May 28.
The 24 Indonesian nationals, consisting of 22 Hajj pilgrims and two coordinators, were arrested on suspicion of forging other people’s Hajj visas during an inspection, despite being recorded as having entered Saudi Arabia on a Syakhsiyah pilgrimage visa. The Consulate General has provided translation services to assist the detained individuals.
According to the latest information from the Saudi authorities, the 22 pilgrims will be released, while the two coordinators will face prosecution along with the bus driver and owner for their alleged involvement in facilitating unauthorized Hajj pilgrimages.
The Saudi government has intensified its efforts to prevent pilgrims from performing the Hajj without a valid tasreh (permit). In response, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appealed to Indonesian pilgrims to abide by Saudi Arabian law and perform the Hajj only with an official Hajj visa or tasreh.
The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs has also reiterated that only Hajj visas can be used to perform the sacred pilgrimage. Congregants who commit violations, such as using other visas or unofficial visas, will be subject to a range of sanctions imposed by Saudi authorities.
Widi Dwinanda, a member of the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ media center team, outlined the series of sanctions issued by Saudi Arabia for congregations that commit visa violations. Pilgrims without official Hajj visas may face deportation and be banned from entering Saudi Arabia for a specified period as stipulated by law. Additionally, they are subject to a fine of 10,000 riyals (approximately Rp42.5 million).
Those found to have coordinated unauthorized Hajj pilgrimages using unofficial visas face even harsher consequences, including a maximum of six months in prison and/or a fine of up to 50,000 riyals.
Widi emphasized that the use of Hajj visas is regulated by Law No. 8 of 2019 on the performance of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage in Indonesia, aligning with the fatwa (religious ruling) of the Haiah Kibaril Ulama Saudi, which requires a Hajj permit for anyone wishing to perform the sacred pilgrimage.
