Fake Hajj campaigns: Urgent warnings from the Saudi Ministry of Interior
The Saudi Ministry of Interior issued an urgent warning to all citizens and residents wishing to perform Hajj this year, stressing the need to be wary of fraudulent Hajj campaigns and unlicensed offices claiming to offer services to domestic pilgrims. The Ministry clarified that falling for these misleading advertisements exposes individuals to legal accountability and prevents them from performing the pilgrimage in a legal and safe manner.
The Kingdom's historic efforts in organizing the Hajj season
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always placed paramount importance on organizing the Hajj pilgrimage and ensuring the safety of the pilgrims. Over the decades, the infrastructure of the holy sites has witnessed tremendous development, from successive expansions of the Two Holy Mosques to the introduction of digital technologies and electronic platforms to streamline procedures. This historic development primarily aims to eliminate chaos and address irregular practices that could negatively impact the security and safety of pilgrims, most notably attempts at fraud through fake offices that exploit Muslims' desire to perform the pilgrimage.
The dangers of fake Hajj campaigns and their impact on pilgrim safety
Fake Hajj campaigns pose a direct threat to the safety and security of pilgrims at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, these unlicensed campaigns lead to overcrowding of unregistered pilgrims in the holy sites, straining the medical, logistical, and security services allocated to registered pilgrims. Regionally and internationally, the fact that pilgrims from various countries fall victim to these scams undermines the smooth organization that the Kingdom strives to present to the world as a leading model in managing massive crowds. Therefore, addressing this phenomenon is a fundamental pillar for ensuring the success of the Hajj season and protecting the rights of all.
How do you verify the legality of your campaign and report violators?
The Ministry of Interior urged all those wishing to perform Hajj from within the Kingdom to avoid being misled by attractive and deceptive advertisements on social media platforms, and to always verify the legitimacy of licensed Hajj and Umrah campaigns through the official website of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah or the “Nusk” application. The Ministry also urged everyone to report any offices or individuals promoting these unauthorized campaigns. Violations of Hajj regulations can be reported by calling 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions, while the number 999 can be used in the rest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
