Hajj: Saudi Govt. Warns Against Visa Violations 

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has cautioned against participating in hajj without a valid visa.

The Assistant Director, Public Affairs, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Mrs Fatima Usara, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Usara said that the Saudi Ministry of Interior stipulated a penalty of deportation and fine of 10,000 Saudi Riyas for anyone caught performing hajj without authorised hajj permit.

” A similar message has been received by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arab Abuja.

” The embassy states the stand of the Saudi Council of Senior Scholars on the matter.

“The Council issued a Fatwa (a legal ruling given by recognised religious authority) to the Muslim Ummah emphasising the prohibition of performing Hajj without a permit.

” The letter stated in part that the council in its Fatwa, urged pilgrims to adhere to rules and regulations, aimed at enabling Muslims to perform the hajj in safety and tranquility.”

She said that NAHCON had issued several warnings in the past against Nigerians falling into the bait of scammers, who are making job offers for the pilgrimage season.

” In the same letter received by NAHCON on May 22, the Saudi Ministry of Interior advised persons against becoming victims of the several fictitious companies and fake accounts on social media.

” Users of such social media accounts are claim to be agents/ authorities to facilitate Hajj using Umrah, Tourism, Work, Family Visit and other types of Visa at attractive rates.”

” Assistant Director in charge of Tour Operators Unit, Ahmad Shira, has since shared contents of the message to all licenced Hajj and Umrah operators from the public and private sectors.”