PUTRAJAYA: About 300 Malaysian pilgrims in Makkah can't perform the haj as the umrah tour agency responsible for organising their pilgrimage had applied for tourist visas instead of haj visas.
In a post on the Forum Umrah DIY page on Facebook, a user known as Zhyema Zhyedee said that her friend, who is among the affected pilgrims, had reached out to her for assistance after realising the group had been misled by the company.
She claimed that the tour agency had assured her friend that the pilgrims would get bracelets, which would permit them to perform the haj, but this promise remained unfulfilled.
Her friend told her that the tour agency instructed affected pilgrims to remain in their hotels, fearing they might get detained by Saudi Arabian authorities.
"Before departing for Makkah from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, I had advised her to be cautious of companies offering cheap haj packages.
"The tour agency charged RM45,000 per individual and it was at the airport that she noticed that she was deceived when she was issued a tourist visa for the haj," she said in the post.
As at press time, the social media post, which was made about five hours ago, has garnered over 200 comments from Netizens with many offering advice.
Many suggested that the affected pilgrims return to Malaysia to avoid legal consequences.
Social media user Afiz Ayub recommended that they seek help from the Malaysian Embassy in Saudi Arabia and officials from Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) who are in Makkah.
Saudi Arabia's Haj and Umrah Ministry recently announced May 15 as the deadline for umrah visas for pilgrims outside the kingdom.
This adjustment aims to facilitate the smooth influx of pilgrims to Makkah and Madinah for the annual haj pilgrimage.
Additionally, the Interior Ministry declared a penalty of 10,000 riyals, or RM12,655, for violations of haj season rules, including unauthorised entry into seven specified areas.
An infographic shared by the ministry on social media platform X indicates that the seven areas are Makkah, the Central Region, Masyair, the Haramain train station in Rusayfah, security control centres, isolation centres and a temporary security control centre.
The penalty applies to all individuals, including citizens, residents, and visitors found in these areas without a valid haj permit.
