JEDDAH, 23 December 2004 — A final warning has been issued to Umrah overstayers to leave the country before the advent of Haj next month. Umrah tour operators were given until the end of December to report any pilgrims who came during the holy fasting month of Ramadan and overstayed their visa.
Two million Muslims are expected to visit the Kingdom annually to perform Umrah, or minor pilgrimage, under a new system introduced a few years ago. Over 200,000 of the estimated one million plus pilgrims who entered the Kingdom for Ramadan Umrah may have stayed behind, according to some estimates.
Pilgrims coming for Umrah slip away from their tour operators and remain in hiding until Haj. Many return home after performing the pilgrimage, but some opt to stay behind in search of work.
The Ministry of Haj said it has extended until Dec. 31 the deadline given to the Umrah companies to ensure their pilgrims have not overstayed their visa. The companies are required under the new system to ensure the pilgrims have left at the end of Ramadan Umrah. The fasting month officially ended on Nov. 13.
The new deadline expires three weeks before Haj reaches its peak on Jan. 20, when around two million Muslims from all over the world arrive for the annual pilgrimage to Makkah.
The Passports Department has repeatedly urged pilgrims who have come from abroad for Umrah to leave the Kingdom before the expiry of their visas. The department warned violators of the rule would face punishment in accordance with the law, including fines and deportation. It also urged Saudis and expatriates not to transport or give refuge or jobs to overstayers.
Unlike Haj where a quota system applies with each country allocated 1,000 pilgrims for every one million of the population, Umrah is open throughout the year. This encourages many to stay behind until Haj risking being caught and sent back to their countries. It is a problem Saudi authorities continue to struggle with every year.
Last month the Ministry of Haj threatened to punish 20 Umrah companies for violating their contractual obligations with pilgrims. The ministry said some erring firms face suspension from operation while others could have their licenses revoked. Local agents are obliged to look after the pilgrims’ accommodation and transportation between Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah and must ensure the pilgrims in their charge return to their respective countries at the end of their Umrah visa period.
