Hefty Penalties Await Hajj Visa Violators
This is to remind or inform the public of the warning issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi against participating in the Hajj without the valid Hajj visa. The Kingdom's Ministry of Interior stipulated a penalty of deportation and fine of 10,000 SR on anyone caught performing Hajj without the authorized Hajj permit. In line, a similar message has been received by NAHCON (National Hajj Commission of Nigeria) through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arab Abuja, disclosing the stand of the Saudi Council of Senior Scholars on the matter. The Council issued a Fatwa (a legal ruling given by recognized religious authority) to the Muslim Ummah emphasizing the prohibition of performing Hajj without a permit. In a statement signed by Assistant Director Public Affairs of the Commission, Fatima Sanda Usara, said the letter stated in part that, “The Council in its Fatwa, urged pilgrims to adhere to rules and regulati