The case of dozens of Malaysian haj pilgrims who entered ihram on invalid visas in 2015 underscores the need for caution, says Tabung Haji
JEDDAH: The case of dozens of Malaysian haj pilgrims who had already entered ihram but were stranded at the airport here after being found to be using invalid visas in 2015 should serve as a lesson for prospective pilgrims.
Jeddah Haj Operations director Darul Nain Abu Bakar said about 30 pilgrims were believed to have been duped by unofficial package offers promising a shortcut to perform the haj.
According to him, although the documents presented appeared convincing, with matching names and photographs of the holders, checks with the Saudi immigration system found that the visas were invalid and not registered under their names.
“On the surface, everything looked correct, but in the system the visas did not exist or did not belong to them. That is why they were immediately denied entry,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Recalling the incident, he said he and consulate officers rushed to the airport as soon as they received reports to assist the affected pilgrims.
However, Darul Nain said the situation became deeply emotional when it was discovered that all the pilgrims had already entered ihram and were ready to perform the haj. But in the end, they had to accept that they could not proceed.
In an effort to ease the pilgrims’ distress, they were only held in a designated area at the airport while arrangements were made before they were sent home. That was all they could do given the very strict regulations.
He added that although there was sympathy and a desire to help, they remained bound by the laws enforced by the Saudi government.
“This experience serves as a strong reminder that in haj matters, compliance with regulations is paramount and must not be taken lightly,” he said.
He also reminded prospective pilgrims to be more cautious and not easily influenced by dubious offers promising easy entry into the Holy Land.
“Use official channels such as Lembaga Tabung Haji or recognised agencies. Do not take shortcuts as the risks are very high,” he said.
He added that controls have now been further tightened, with multiple layers of checks at every entry point, including on local residents, to ensure no violations occur.
In large-scale haj operations involving millions of pilgrims each year, compliance with regulations is the most critical aspect in ensuring overall safety and the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
“There is no room for compromise when it comes to visas. If they are not valid, action will still be taken even if we know they have made significant sacrifices to get here,” he said.
According to him, apart from being unable to perform the haj, pilgrims also face other risks, including financial losses and the possibility of being blacklisted by the Saudi authorities, which could affect their chances of returning to the country in the future.
