Saudi warns of fake Hajj bureaus, bans 12-year-olds from pilgrimage

Saudi authorities have warned intending pilgrims for this year’s Hajj, the annual holy pilgrimage to Makkah to be careful of unauthorised Hajj operators and fake websites carrying fraudulent Hajj campaigns and offers.

In a statement, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has urged Hajj pilgrims to avoid scams by using the officially approved platforms to arrange pilgrimage plans.

The ministry stressed that dealing with recognised channels ensures pilgrim rights are protected and provides a genuine opportunity to perform Hajj.

“To protect against financial fraud during your Hajj application, ensure you only engage with official authorities and steer clear of dubious advertisements,” the Ministry’s statement reads in part.

Pilgrims were advised to seek information from the ministry’s official website, www.localhaj.haj.gov.sa, as well as the Nesk App for domestic pilgrims the Nusuk-Hajj platform also caters to pilgrims from Europe, the Americas, Australia, and select Asian and African countries, alongside official Hajj missions and companies.

Relatedly, Saudi Arabia also announced new requirements for this year’s Hajj. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Affairs said that new measures are intended to ensure the health and safety of pilgrims.

Under the new guidelines, all pilgrims must obtain a Hajj permit through the Nusk platform in accordance with a Fatwa issued early this week by the Council of Senior Scholars, banning the performing Hajj without an official permit.

Pilgrims will also be required to show proof of having been fully vaccinated prior to travelling for the Hajj.

Saudi Arabian residents will be required to register through the Sehaty App to verify their vaccination.

Additionally, registration through the Sehaty application is required to verify vaccination status for COVID-19, influenza, and meningitis within the last five years.

International pilgrims are required to have the Neisseria meningitidis vaccine administered at least 10 days but not more than five years prior to their arrival in Saudi Arabia. Health authorities of the pilgrim’s home country must confirm the vaccination timing, noting the vaccine type and date on the vaccination certificate. Additionally, all pilgrims are required to receive at least one dose of either bivalent oral polio vaccine or inactivated polio vaccine.

The Ministry also emphasized that children below the age of 12 years due to “safety concerns.”

The measures are aimed to facilitate the smooth conduct of Hajj rituals and to enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims, ensuring a safe and spiritually fulfilling experience for all attendees.