Saudi Arabia clamps down on fake Hajj ads

Cairo: Saudi authorities have intensified a crackdown on promoters of fake campaigns for the upcoming annual Hajj pilgrimage amid strict measures in the kingdom to keep irregular pilgrims at bay.

Police in the south-western governorate of Khamis Mushait have arrested a Bangladeshi expatriate and accused him of committing fraud by publishing “fake and misleading” advertisements for Hajj trips on social media.

Police said the man had illegally claimed providing housing and transportation in the holy places.

His arrest is the latest in a series of detentions targeting advertisers of fictitious Hajj trips.

Saudi police in the holy city of Mecca this week announced arresting a Sudanese expatriate and a Saudi citizen over publishing similar adverts.

Earlier in the week, an Indonesian expatriate and a Saudi citizen were also arrested in Mecca in two separate incidents on the same grounds in the run-up to the Hajj season.

Hajj is one of Islam’s five obligatory duties. Muslims who are physically and financially able must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.

Saudi authorities have repeatedly said that a Hajj visa is mandatory to perform the pilgrimage rites and that a visit visa does not qualify its holder to undertake the holy journey.

Earlier this month, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has warned Muslims wishing to perform the Hajj against dealing with unauthorised outlets.

The ministry said the foreign pilgrim must obtain a Hajj visa issued by Saudi authorities, in coordination with Hajj Affairs offices in 80 countries, or through the Nusk Hajj platform, designated for pilgrims coming from 126 countries.

Saudi Arabia has also set April 29 as the deadline for all foreign Umrah pilgrims to leave the country.

Staying beyond this date is deemed an offence that makes the violator liable to legal penalties.

The warning comes amid concerns about attempts by some foreign visitors to overstay their Umrah visas to illegally perform the Hajj.