Public Urged Not to Be Swayed by Offers of Queue-Free Hajj

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is urging the public not to be tempted by offers to perform Hajj without queuing, as these could lead to fraud given the strict rules enforced by Saudi Arabian authorities. “The public should not be easily swayed by promises of fast-track routes. Pilgrimage visas, visit visas, or other documents outside the regulations cannot be used for Hajj,” said Consul General of Indonesia in Jeddah, Yusron B. Ambary, in his statement in Jakarta on Monday. This issue of non-procedural Hajj has become a serious concern for Saudi authorities. Besides violating rules, it also poses high risks to safety. Prominent cases of non-procedural or illegal Hajj occur from time to time. In 2024, a regional official was arrested by Saudi security personnel for allegedly intending to perform Hajj using a pilgrimage visa and bringing a group. Then in 2025, three Indonesian citizens were found stranded in a desert area while trying to enter the Makkah region. One person died due to dehydration. These three Indonesian citizens were pilgrims intending to perform Hajj without going through official channels. Yusron stated that the only visa that can be used for Hajj is the Hajj visa. Meanwhile, if the public uses a visa other than the Hajj visa, it will automatically be rejected and they could be deported with accompanying penalties. Besides failing to worship, those caught illegally face sanctions in the form of large fines, up to a ban on entering Saudi territory (blacklisting) for 10 years. “Only the Hajj visa stipulated by Saudi authorities is accepted,” said Yusron. The Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah has recorded various cases where pilgrims were arrested for using fake Hajj attire, fake identity cards, to visas with data not matching the holder’s passport. “The public should not focus on the package name, but ensure the certainty of the Hajj visa, the legality of the organiser, and the suitability of the procedures with official government rules,” said Yusron.