Indian scholar seeks return rights for ‘Huroob’ violators

A prominent Indian scholar has urged Saudi authorities to facilitate the return to India of hundreds of Indian expatriates who had been wrongfully labeled as “Huroob” violators.
Sheikh Abu Baker Ahmed made the appeal during a meeting with Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.
Sheikh Abu Baker, who commands a large following in India for his social work and interfaith activities, described his meeting with the governor as fruitful.
In a letter submitted to Prince Khaled, the scholar asked the governor to consider repatriating the stranded Indian workers in such a way that they are able to return to the holy land for their religious obligations in the future.
According to the current law, a person who is deported after being declared as a “huroob” violator is barred from returning to the Kingdom and GCC states.
According to the Sheikh, Saudi employers have declared many Indian workers as “Huroob” violators to escape penalties by the Labor Ministry.
“In such a scenario it will not be appropriate to ban these people from coming back to the Kingdom to perform Haj and Umrah,” the Sheikh told Arab News.
“They also should not be barred from seeking employment in the Gulf countries.”
The Sheikh said the Kingdom and the Gulf states have played an important role in improving the standard of living of Indians in general and Keralites in particular.
“We will always remain thankful to the Saudi leadership, especially Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman, for their benevolent attitude toward India,” he said.
The prince reportedly assured him to take all possible steps to address the issues highlighted by the visiting scholar.
Sheikh Abu Baker said the governor is impressed with the dedication of Indian expatriates and contributions of the Indian Muslims to Islam.
Sheikh said in a statement after the meeting that the new regulations implemented by the Saudi authorities would help streamline the job market and reduce unemployment among the Saudi youths.
Sheikh said Saudi authorities are committed to ensuring that expatriates operated within the Kingdom’s legal framework.