Saudi Arabia Warns Against Fake Hajj Campaigns and Lauds Iraq for Arresting Scammers
Saudi Arabia, on Friday, issued a caution to those intending to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, alerting them to the risk of falling victim to fictitious campaigns advertised on social media platforms across various countries.
The kingdom urged all to adhere to the established regulations and laws.
The Ministry of Hajj clarified that arriving in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj obligation is only permissible through obtaining a Hajj visa issued by the relevant Saudi authorities, in coordination with other countries via their respective offices or through the "Nusuk Hajj" platform for those without such offices.
In a statement, the Ministry reported the detection of promotions for nonexistent companies and campaigns, as well as fake accounts on social networks claiming to organize Hajj trips at attractive prices, and advised caution when dealing with them.
Moreover, the statement praised the efforts of the Iraqi authorities for apprehending more than 25 bogus companies marketing "commercial Hajj" packages, appreciating the endeavors of all countries in combating this unconventional phenomenon.
The High Commission for Hajj in Iraq announced on Thursday, the detainment of company owners who deceived citizens by claiming the availability of visas for substantial fees, enabling them to perform the Hajj under various names such as "commercial Hajj." They were apprehended for operating without an official license, leading to legal actions and their arrest.
The Commission emphasized that the issuance of Hajj visas to Iraqi citizens is exclusively managed through it, in line with the standards of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj. It highlighted that no company or office is authorized to issue these visas, countering claims made on social media platforms.
The Ministry formerly noted that visas for Umrah, tourism, work, family visits, transit, and others do not qualify the holder to perform the Hajj, urging compliance with the official systems and regulations and warning against fraudulent entities claiming to offer commercial Hajj campaigns and others.
It affirmed continual monitoring of fake advertisements, hoping for everyone's cooperation in combating such frauds and reporting them while aiming to minimize unauthorized Hajj practices. Official information can be obtained from the Ministry's website or its social media channels.
The Saudi Senior Scholars Authority stated that complying with the Hajj permit system is rooted in Islamic law, which aims to facilitate worship and remove hardship from the devotees. This compliance ensures the organization of pilgrim numbers, allowing the large gatherings to perform the ritual peacefully and safely, a legitimate goal endorsed by Islamic jurisprudence.
The Authority mentioned that the adherence to obtaining a permit aligns with the religious benefit, as governmental bodies plan the season’s aspects security, health, accommodation, sustenance, and other services based on the authorized numbers. This coordination ensures the quality of services for pilgrims, averting potential harms like overcrowding and stampedes, which could lead to fatalities.
They concluded by advising those intending to perform Hajj to fear Allah during their pilgrimage, to maintain its sanctity, and to abide by the regulations and instructions issued for their safety and ease of performance, highlighting that adhering to the permit is an act of obedience to the ruler in goodness, and undertaking the Hajj without it is considered sinful due to the public interest it serves.
The Ministry of Hajj clarified that arriving in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj obligation is only permissible through obtaining a Hajj visa issued by the relevant Saudi authorities, in coordination with other countries via their respective offices or through the "Nusuk Hajj" platform for those without such offices.
In a statement, the Ministry reported the detection of promotions for nonexistent companies and campaigns, as well as fake accounts on social networks claiming to organize Hajj trips at attractive prices, and advised caution when dealing with them.
Moreover, the statement praised the efforts of the Iraqi authorities for apprehending more than 25 bogus companies marketing "commercial Hajj" packages, appreciating the endeavors of all countries in combating this unconventional phenomenon.
The High Commission for Hajj in Iraq announced on Thursday, the detainment of company owners who deceived citizens by claiming the availability of visas for substantial fees, enabling them to perform the Hajj under various names such as "commercial Hajj." They were apprehended for operating without an official license, leading to legal actions and their arrest.
The Commission emphasized that the issuance of Hajj visas to Iraqi citizens is exclusively managed through it, in line with the standards of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj. It highlighted that no company or office is authorized to issue these visas, countering claims made on social media platforms.
The Ministry formerly noted that visas for Umrah, tourism, work, family visits, transit, and others do not qualify the holder to perform the Hajj, urging compliance with the official systems and regulations and warning against fraudulent entities claiming to offer commercial Hajj campaigns and others.
It affirmed continual monitoring of fake advertisements, hoping for everyone's cooperation in combating such frauds and reporting them while aiming to minimize unauthorized Hajj practices. Official information can be obtained from the Ministry's website or its social media channels.
The Saudi Senior Scholars Authority stated that complying with the Hajj permit system is rooted in Islamic law, which aims to facilitate worship and remove hardship from the devotees. This compliance ensures the organization of pilgrim numbers, allowing the large gatherings to perform the ritual peacefully and safely, a legitimate goal endorsed by Islamic jurisprudence.
The Authority mentioned that the adherence to obtaining a permit aligns with the religious benefit, as governmental bodies plan the season’s aspects security, health, accommodation, sustenance, and other services based on the authorized numbers. This coordination ensures the quality of services for pilgrims, averting potential harms like overcrowding and stampedes, which could lead to fatalities.
They concluded by advising those intending to perform Hajj to fear Allah during their pilgrimage, to maintain its sanctity, and to abide by the regulations and instructions issued for their safety and ease of performance, highlighting that adhering to the permit is an act of obedience to the ruler in goodness, and undertaking the Hajj without it is considered sinful due to the public interest it serves.
Translation:
Translated by AI
