Illegal Hajj Risks: Saudi Arabia Issues 10-Year Entry Ban
Reporter
May 3, 2026 | 03:35 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reveals legal risks for illegal or non-procedural hajj pilgrims during the implementation of the hajj pilgrimage in 1447 Hijri/2026 AD.
The head of the Ministry of Hajj's Public Relations Bureau, Moh. Hasan Afandi, stated that using non-Hajj visas, such as work, pilgrimage, visit, or transit visas, to perform the Hajj violates Saudi government regulations. The hajj pilgrimage must be undertaken using a hajj visa to avoid legal risks for pilgrims.
If violated, according to Hasan, the sanctions imposed are not light. "From denial of entry to Mecca and the areas of Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina; fines; deportation; to a 10-year ban on entry to Saudi Arabia," he said in a written statement on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
He said that law enforcement also applies to parties that organize, offer, or facilitate illegal hajj pilgrimage. Hasan also urged the public not to be drawn to offers of illegal and expedited hajj pilgrimage. "Report to the police if parties are offering or organizing non-procedural hajj departures," he said.
Currently, the Ministry of Hajj, together with the police and the Ministry of Immigration and Detention, has formed a Task Force for the Prevention of Illegal Hajj to strengthen monitoring and enforcement of non-procedural hajj pilgrimages. For example, by conducting public awareness campaigns and handling criminal cases related to illegal hajj practices.
The Ministry of Hajj noted that from April 18 to May 1, 2026, Indonesian Immigration officials prevented 42 potential members of illegal hajj pilgrims from departing. The number increased after officials detained 23 Indonesian citizens for not having Hajj visas on May 1, 2026.
The Director General of Immigration for the Ministry of Immigration and Detention, Hendarsam Marantoko, said that officials found inconsistencies between the traveler's information and his documents. After the examination, he continued, the group consisted of 12 men and 11 women.
They had initially claimed to be workers in Saudi Arabia before admitting their actual intention to perform hajj. "One person in the group was known to be the coordinator, while the other 22 were potential members of non-procedural hajj pilgrims," Hendarsam said in his official statement on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
After this finding was made, officials immediately coordinated with the Hajj Task Force, which includes the Ministry of Hajj and the police. Finally, the group's departure was postponed. According to Hendarsam, this step is intended to strengthen immigration control during the 2026 Hajj season.
Ade Ridwan Yandwiputra contributed to the writing of this article
Read: Hajj 2026: Seven Indonesians Pass Away in Medina
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
