Saudi Arabia’s Peculiar Penalties: Get Ready to Shell Out Up to Rs 4.5 Lakh!
As the countdown to Hajj 2025 begins, Saudi Arabia is taking a firm stance against unauthorized pilgrims. The Ministry of Interior has announced hefty fines for those attempting to perform the pilgrimage without the necessary permits. This initiative aims to ensure smooth crowd management during one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
Heavy Fines for Violators
From April 29 to June 10, anyone caught performing Hajj without proper authorization will face significant penalties. Here’s a breakdown of the fines:
- Unauthorized Pilgrimage: Individuals performing Hajj without a permit could be fined up to 20,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately Rs 4.5 lakh). This also applies to those on visit visas entering Mecca or nearby holy sites during the restricted period.
- Facilitating Illegal Hajj: Those helping others to perform Hajj illegally—whether by applying for visit visas, providing transportation, or accommodation—will face fines up to 100,000 Riyals (around Rs 22.7 lakh). The fines increase for each person involved.
- Transport and Shelter Offenses: The same hefty fine applies to anyone providing transport or shelter to violators, including hotel and apartment owners.
- Deportation and Entry Ban: Illegal entrants, including overstayers, will be deported and banned from re-entering Saudi Arabia for ten years.
- Vehicle Seizure: Vehicles used to transport violators may be confiscated by court order if owned by offenders.
Hajj 2025 Dates
Hajj 2025 is expected to take place between June 4 and June 9, depending on the moon sighting. Pilgrims have already begun their journey, with the first flights from India departing on April 29, carrying groups from Lucknow and Hyderabad.
New Crowd Control Measures
In addition to imposing fines, Saudi Arabia is tightening travel regulations. Reports indicate that certain visa categories from 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, have been temporarily suspended to prevent unregistered pilgrims and manage crowds effectively. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has extended his best wishes to the 1,22,518 Indian pilgrims set to embark on this sacred journey. With these measures in place, Saudi Arabia aims to ensure a safe and organized Hajj experience for all participants.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
