Security Reasons: NTB Hajj Pilgrim Denied Entry to Saudi Arabia
A prospective Hajj pilgrim from the Lombok embarkation point in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) was denied entry to Saudi Arabia by local immigration authorities.
The pilgrim was repatriated because records showed a previous violation of stay permit procedures or overstay in Saudi Arabia.
The Head of the Hajj Organising Committee for the Lombok Embarkation, Lalu Muhamad Amin, confirmed that the rejected pilgrim was part of Group Flight 5 from Mataram City.
“The prospective Hajj pilgrim in question is from Group Flight 5 in Mataram City,” Amin said at the NTB Hajj Hostel in Mataram, as reported by Antara on Friday (1/5).
Amin explained that, based on investigations, the pilgrim had performed Umrah in 2017 but did not return directly to Indonesia, instead choosing to stay illegally in Saudi Arabia to await Hajj.
This action violated the stay permit and resulted in administrative sanctions from the Saudi Government.
“Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, the system scanned his fingerprints and detected a previous sanction. Local immigration imposed an entry restriction (blacklist) for 10 years,” Amin clarified.
He emphasised that the rejection decision is fully under the authority of Saudi immigration for reasons of security and national sovereignty. Amin also explained why this issue was not detected during departure from Indonesia.
“Checking systems in other countries can detect histories and fingerprints not integrated with our immigration system. Because they are not automatically connected, local authorities do not know about violation records abroad,” he added.
The pilgrim has now arrived back in Mataram and been handed over to his family in good health.
Following this incident, the Hajj Organising Committee advises all pilgrims to honestly report past travel histories or legal issues to the organisers. This is important so that verification steps can be taken earlier.
“After the sanction period ends, the pilgrim can proceed with departure like any other prospective Hajj pilgrim without special priority,” said Amin.
However, the repatriated pilgrim is required to refund the issued plane ticket costs. Additionally, the individual’s Hajj administration process will return to the initial stage, including settlement and legality corrections.
“Payments already made will be reprocessed according to status, whether cancelled or deferred, and repackaging of the departure package if needed,” he concluded.
Based on data from the Lombok Embarkation Hajj Organising Committee as of 30 April 2026, the number of Hajj pilgrims from NTB who have arrived in Saudi Arabia reaches 2,722 people. The total departures, including accompanying staff, are recorded at 2,750 people.