No-Visa Haj Valid But Sinful, Could Lead To Fines of Up To 100,000 Saudi Riyals - Zulkifli

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- Muslims in Malaysia have been reminded not to perform the haj without a visa, as the act is not only sinful but may also result in fines of up to 100,000 Saudi riyals, as well as other strict actions by Saudi authorities.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hasan, said the National Haj Muzakarah had ruled that although haj pilgrimage without a visa is still valid as an act of worship, it is sinful as it breaches regulations.

“If caught, they could be fined up to 100,000 Saudi riyals, while foreign nationals may be deported. Anyone found to have assisted or been complicit could also face up to six months in prison and a fine of up to 50,000 Saudi riyals.

“The regulations on haj visas are very strict, with only those holding a haj visa permitted to perform the pilgrimage,” he said on Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme, titled ‘Inisiatif Haji Lestari’, tonight.

At the same time, Zulkifli stressed the importance of maintaining Malaysia’s image as one of the countries with the best haj management and discipline in the world, which has set a benchmark for others.

“Malaysia has been recognised as having one of the best haj managements in the world, which reflects the very high standards we have set. We do not want one or two cases to tarnish our image. Our pilgrims are grassroots ambassadors for the country,” he said.

He said Malaysia’s close ties with the Saudi government have also brought benefits, including the Makkah Route initiative in Malaysia, which helps ease immigration procedures for pilgrims at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Meanwhile, Zulkifli said that despite global inflationary pressures, haj costs for Malaysian pilgrims have not increased, as Tabung Haji has absorbed any additional costs to safeguard pilgrims’ welfare.

He said haj costs cover a range of components, including flights, accommodation, logistics, food, medical services, as well as payments to the Saudi government and service providers, noting that the cost was kept stable through careful planning, including contingency preparations for global crises such as the West Asia conflict and supply chain disruptions.

“Tabung Haji has already done scenario planning, with several key scenarios in place and action plans for each. We are ready to implement them,” he said, adding that existing mechanisms have enabled Tabung Haji to absorb cost increases, including higher fuel prices, without burdening pilgrims.

As such, he stressed that service quality would continue to be improved, including more comfortable facilities, better meals, as well as comprehensive health support and religious guidance.

In other developments, Zulkifli said Tabung Haji has introduced the Haji Lestari initiative for this haj season as a strategic move to address the issue of excess used ihram garments among pilgrims.

He said the initiative, the first of its kind by Tabung Haji, focuses on recycling and upcycling to reduce textile waste, while also supporting environmental sustainability.

“Every haj season, pilgrims tend to leave behind their ihram garments and often discard them. So, this is what we are trying to do, to recycle the ihram cloth and turn it into new products that can be used,” he said.

He said the programme is based on recycling and upcycling used ihram garments, carried out in two phases in the Holy Land and Malaysia, with the cooperation of various parties, including strategic partners in Saudi Arabia.

He said phase one, to be carried out in Saudi Arabia, involves recycling used ihram garments at collection centres in selected locations in Makkah and Mina to raise awareness, reduce textile waste and test the collection model.

Under phase two, he said the upcycling project will be carried out in Malaysia on a limited scale to explore the potential of turning used ihram garments into new, value-added products.

“Alhamdulillah, the Haji Lestari initiative has been praised by the Saudi government, and we will implement it effectively,” he added.

-- BERNAMA