* Violators risk SR10,000 fine, imprisonment
* Always go out with your NUSUK card to avoid arrest, NAHCON tells Nigerian pilgrims
As the intending pilgrims from across the globe arrive the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2024, authorities have identified efforts to crackdown on illegal expatriates and unauthorised Hajj pilgrims, saying individuals, including Saudi citizens caught entering Makkah without a Hajj permit face a fine of SR10,000.
The penalties could also be six months imprisonment or immediate deportation and banning from Saudi Arabia for 10 years.
Authorities urged all visitors to the Kingdom who hold a visit visa not to travel to Makkah or stay there from May 23 to June 21.
Muslim News gathered that the Saudi authorities have penalised more than 20,000 illegal visitors in nationwide campaigns targeting violators of residency, labour, and border security laws.
The latest warning, under Hajj regulations and instructions, which prohibit their stay in Makkah, is part of heightened measures against unauthorised pilgrims ahead of the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has therefore called on the Nigerian not to fall into the bait of scammers making so many job offers for the Hajj pilgrimage season.
The Commission also urged intending pilgrims to ensure the use of NUSUK card (identification and access card) to avoid being arrested by the Saudi Arabian Authority.
In a statement issued over the weekend by the Commission’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Fatima Sanda-Usara, NAHCON Executive Chairman/CEO, Mallam Jalal Arabi stressed the importance of the NUSUK ID card as a crucial document required for identification and access to the masha’er during the Hajj exercise.
According to him, the highest religious body of Saudi Arabia has issued a fatwa in this regard making it mandatory for every pilgrim to obtain a Hajj permit for the wellbeing of all.
Speaking further, Mal. Arabi reminding all the Nigerian pilgrims of the mandatory possession of Nusuk ID cards, adding that all the pilgrims must collect their cards on arrival in Makkah from officials at designated distribution points and always carry it along everywhere they go to.
“It is imperative to ALWAYS carry these cards, as they are the recognised means of identifying pilgrims and for having access to key areas during Hajj. Pilgrims with smartphones can download the NUSUK app from play store or itunes stores. They can use their passport and visa numbers to activate and access digital copies of their NUSUK cards”, he noted.
He also encouraged pilgrims who have misplaced their NUSUK cards to contact their respective state pilgrims’ officials or NAHCON’s operational office in Makkah for assistance.
“We urge all pilgrims to adhere strictly to these guidelines to avoid any inconvenience or disruption in their spiritual journey. We similarly warn against habouring or aiding any illegal pilgrim,” said Mal. Arabi.
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