50 Saudis Arrested for Smuggling 205 Unauthorized Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi Arabia, VIVA – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior reported that Hajj Security Forces have arrested 50 people — 15 residents and 35 Saudi citizens — for violating Hajj regulations.

They were caught at several entry points into Mecca for transporting 205 people without valid Hajj permits.

The ministry has issued administrative penalties through a special committee.

These punishments include prison sentences, fines of up to 100,000 Saudi Riyals (around IDR 434 million), public disclosure of offenders’ identities, and deportation for foreign nationals.

Those deported will be banned from re-entering the country for 10 years after serving their sentence.

Authorities also called for vehicles used in the illegal transport to be confiscated. Anyone trying to perform Hajj without a permit could face fines up to 20,000 Saudi Riyals (around IDR 86 million).

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Ilustrasi Jemaah Haji

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The ministry urged all citizens and residents to follow the rules to ensure the safety of all Hajj pilgrims.

Earlier, Saudi officials had already stopped over 269,000 people from illegally entering Mecca ahead of the peak days of Hajj in 2025.

This major crackdown is part of the government's efforts to prevent illegal pilgrimages and maintain order during the Hajj season.

Saudi authorities statwd that unauthorized pilgrims contributed to dangerous overcrowding and were one of the main causes of fatalities due to extreme heat during last year’s Hajj.

“Our pilgrims are under our protection, and anyone who breaks the rules is in our hands,” said Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Omari, quoted by Al Arabiya on Tuesday (June 4). 

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The ministry urged all citizens and residents to follow the rules to ensure the safety of all Hajj pilgrims.