NTB Hajj Candidate Rejected by Saudi Arabia Due to Security Reasons

Mataram (ANTARA) - A prospective Hajj pilgrim from Lombok Embarkation in West Nusa Tenggara was denied entry by the Saudi Arabian government due to security reasons stemming from a previous violation of immigration procedures in that country.

The Head of the NTB Hajj and Umrah Ministry Regional Office and Chairman of the Lombok Embarkation Hajj Organising Committee, Lalu Muhamad Amin, confirmed that one local prospective pilgrim was not granted permission to enter Saudi Arabia.

“The prospective pilgrim in question is from group 5 of Mataram City,” he said at the NTB Hajj Dormitory in Mataram on Friday.

He explained that the pilgrim had previously performed Umrah in 2017 but did not return directly to Indonesia after completing it. Instead, they remained in Saudi Arabia, citing a desire to wait for the Hajj pilgrimage, which violated their stay permit.

According to him, the entry ban decision is fully under the authority of the destination country’s immigration, namely for security reasons.

“Examination systems in other countries can detect history and fingerprints that are unknown to local authorities because immigration systems between ours and foreign countries are not integrated,” said Lalu Amin.

Therefore, even if no issues are found during departure from Indonesia, the destination country’s immigration has the authority to refuse entry if records indicate any problems.

Following the incident, his side urged pilgrims to honestly report their conditions or issues to the organisers to avoid unilateral actions without verification.

“After the blacklist (sanction) period ends, pilgrims can continue the departure process like regular Hajj candidates, although there is no special priority,” he said.

Nevertheless, for the repatriated pilgrim, they are required to refund the costs incurred related to the ticket. Meanwhile, the administrative process will return to the initial stage, including full payment and legality corrections by the individual before they can be sent off again.

“Financing already paid previously will be reprocessed according to status (cancelled/postponed) and repackaging of the departure package if necessary,” he said.

It is known that the number of Hajj pilgrims from Lombok Embarkation, NTB, who have arrived in Saudi Arabia is 2,722 people. Based on the report from the Lombok Embarkation Hajj Organising Officers as of 30 April 2026, all pilgrims were sent off together with 28 accompanying officers, making a total of 2,750 people.