‘Leave Saudi Arabia by April 29 or….’: Bad news for India, Pakistan as Prince Salman issues order to…, set to affect many due to….

Recently, Saudi Arabia had temporarily banned visas on 14 countries including India and Pakistan so that illegal crowds of Umrah and Haj pilgrims do not gather in Mecca or across the country. Now the Ministry of Haj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia has announced that those who have got visa for Umrah should complete Umrah and return to their respective countries by April 29. The ministry has said in its order that April 29 will be the last day for foreign Umrah pilgrims to leave the country.

“April 13 has been set as the last date for entry into Saudi Arabia for Umrah performers this year, while the pilgrimage deadline will end on April 29,” the ministry said, according to an official statement cited by Gulf News. Pilgrims staying in Saudi Arabia after this deadline will be considered violators of the country’s visa and pilgrimage rules.

How much is the fine for violation

The ministry has stressed in its statement that staying in Saudi Arabia for longer than the permitted dates i.e. after April 29 will be considered a legal violation and strict penalties will be imposed on foreigners found guilty. The statement said that individuals, companies and Umrah service providers violating the rules can be fined up to 100,000 Saudi riyals i.e. Rs 22.94 lakh and legal action can also be taken.

Saudi Arabia has taken this step at a time when it is busy preparing to make the annual Haj pilgrimage comfortable. Saudi Arabia’s aim is to prevent illegal pilgrims from going to Mecca. Last year, a stampede occurred in Mecca due to heavy crowd, in which 1200 people lost their lives. This tarnished Saudi Arabia’s reputation worldwide. Keeping this in mind, Saudi Arabia is taking rapid decisions.

Saudi authorities have instructed all service providers and Hajj organising institutions to strictly follow the departure deadlines and reporting protocols for foreign pilgrims. The statement said that maximum penalties will also be imposed on these institutions for not reporting overstaying pilgrims. All such steps have been taken just before the Hajj pilgrimage starting on June 4.

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