A man who illegally transported pilgrims to Haj last year without proper licences or authorisation has been fined BD10,000 by the Lower Criminal Court, the Public Prosecution has announced.
The accused was arrested after the authorities received a report from the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf Ministry, who last year were following up on Haj-related affairs, including investigations into two Bahraini pilgrims who died while performing their religious duty.
The ministry revealed that the two pilgrims who died were not registered with the relevant authority, and that the accused had been taking people to Haj without proper permission.
This prompted the Public Prosecution to open further investigations, which led to witnesses being questioned and the man, whose age and nationality were not disclosed, being identified and arrested.
He was then referred to the Lower Criminal Court who issued the ruling against him.
This year, the pilgrimage season is expected to run from June 14 to June 19.
The Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf Ministry has warned individuals from joining any unlicensed tour operators, or from going on the pilgrimage alone without a permit to avoid legal consequences for violating regulations and procedures.
They urged people to go through the list of licensed Bahraini Haj tour operators, which can be accessed through the ‘Islamiyat’ mobile app.
Furthermore, those planning to perform Haj have been urged to follow the regulations and guidelines set by both the High Committee for Haj and Umrah Affairs and the Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry.
Saudi Arabia’s Haj and Umrah Ministry also announced that starting last Friday until June 26, Umrah permits will only be issued to people who have a confirmed Haj permit.
They also stated that Umrah permits will not be issued to individuals without a confirmed Haj permit, in a bid to control the influx of pilgrims during the Haj season.
Saudi authorities have also warned that those who defy regulations in place will end up facing severe and unwavering penalties, including a fine of about BD1,000 (10,000 Saudi riyals) which will be imposed on citizens, residents and visitors caught in Mecca and other holy sites without a Haj permit.
The fine will be doubled for repeat offenders, and resident violators face deportation and a ban from entering Saudi Arabia.
Penalties for transporting pilgrims illegally include jail for up to six months, a fine of up to 50,000 Saudi riyals, confiscation of the transport vehicle by the judiciary and deportation and ban from re-entering Saudi Arabia for expatriate and visitor violators.
The GDN reported yesterday that Saudi Arabia will provide a smart identity card to control access to holy sites during Haj, in order to clamp down on illegal pilgrims.
The Nusuk card is expected to enhance operational efficiency during the season and facilitate performing rituals. It will be used to automatically identify each pilgrim.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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