Stiff fines, jail for Haj pilgrims without permit
The Omani Haj Mission arrived in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on its way to Mecca
MUSCAT: Haj pilgrims without proper permits will face harsher legal action and fines this year, according to a statement released ahead of the annual pilgrimage.
It said any Haj campaign organiser found transporting pilgrims without Haj permits will be slapped with a fine of 100,000 Saudi rials (OMR10,000).
The violator will also be sentenced to not more than two years jail and his vehicle will be seized.
Such pilgrims will be deported and not allowed to enter the Saudi lands for 10 years. Similar reminders were issued by @makkahregion, advising expat pilgrims to leave the Saudi lands before their visas expire.
The reminder stated that any- one exceeding the visa period to perform Haj will be deported and will have to pay 15,000 Saudi rials (OMR1,500).
The Omani Haj Mission left Oman on Sunday for the sacred lands. The mission is headed by Sheikh Nasser bin Yousef Al Azri, Head of the Omani Haj Mission.
The mission’s members were seen off at the Muscat International Airport by Sheikh Dr. Kahlan bin Nabhan Al Kharousi, Assistant Grand Mufti of the Sultanate and a number of officials at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs. The Omani Haj Mission arrived in Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on its way to Mecca.
While in Mecca and Al Medina, the Omani Haj Mission will look after pilgrims in addition to providing its services at other holy sites during the Haj season.
The mission comprises a delegation for Ifta and religious counselling, an administrative and financial delegation, a delegation supervising the contractors, a medical delegation, a delegation of the Royal Oman Police (ROP), a media and scouts’ delegation.