Jakarta, IDN Times – The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reaffirmed its commitment to curbing illegal and non-procedural Hajj practices to ensure the safety, security, and orderly conduct of the 1447 H/2026 M pilgrimage.
Moh. Hasan Afandi, Head of the Public Relations Bureau at the Ministry, stated that the government is fully supporting the Saudi Arabian government’s “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign. This initiative aims to ensure that all pilgrims perform their religious duties in accordance with established regulations.
“We fully endorse the Saudi government’s campaign, ‘No Hajj Without a Permit.’ The pilgrimage must be conducted through official channels using valid Hajj visas. This is essential to ensure a smooth, safe experience and to prevent pilgrims from facing serious legal risks,” Hasan explained, as cited on the Ministry’s official website on Saturday (2/5/2026).
1. Formation of the Illegal Hajj Prevention Task Force
To strengthen oversight and enforcement, the Ministry has collaborated with the Indonesian National Police and the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Affairs to establish a dedicated Illegal Hajj Prevention Task Force. This unit is tasked with preventing non-procedural departures at an early stage, conducting massive public awareness campaigns, and handling criminal cases related to illegal Hajj schemes.
2. Strict Sanctions: A 10-Year Ban from Entering Saudi Arabia
Hasan reported that between April 18 and May 1, 2026, immigration officers successfully prevented the departure of 42 prospective pilgrims attempting to travel through non-procedural means. He emphasized that using non-Hajj visas—such as work, tourism, visit, or transit visas—for the purpose of pilgrimage constitutes a violation of Saudi Arabian law.
Offenders face severe consequences, including being denied entry to Makkah and the holy sites of Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina. Furthermore, violators risk heavy fines, deportation, and a potential 10-year ban on entering Saudi Arabia.
3. Public Warning: Avoid “No-Queue” Illegal Hajj Offers
According to Hasan, strict legal action also applies to individuals or entities that organize, promote, or facilitate illegal Hajj travel. He issued a strong warning to the public not to be tempted by fraudulent “no-queue” Hajj offers.
“We urge the public not to be swayed by illegal offers that promise a Hajj experience without the standard waiting period. If you encounter any party attempting to organize or facilitate non-procedural Hajj departures, please report them to the police immediately,” Hasan stated.
4. 23 Indonesian Citizens Detained at Soetta Airport for Illegal Hajj Attempt
On Friday (1/5/2026), immigration officers at Soekarno-Hatta Airport intercepted 23 Indonesian citizens suspected of attempting to depart for the Hajj pilgrimage through illegal channels. Galih P. Kartika Perdhana, Head of the Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Office, explained that this action was taken to protect Indonesian citizens during the 2026 Hajj season.
“The entire group was traveling to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Saudi Airlines flight SV827,” said Galih. He noted that officers detected discrepancies between the travelers’ stated purpose and the documents they presented. Further investigation revealed that the group intended to perform the Hajj pilgrimage using visas that were not permitted for such activities.
Summary
The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has established a specialized task force in collaboration with the National Police and immigration authorities to combat illegal Hajj practices. This initiative supports Saudi Arabia’s “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign, aiming to ensure all pilgrimages are conducted through official channels and valid visas to maintain safety and regulatory compliance.
Authorities have warned the public against fraudulent “no-queue” offers and emphasized that using improper visas for pilgrimage can lead to severe penalties, including deportation and a 10-year ban from entering Saudi Arabia. Recent enforcement efforts have already resulted in the interception of several groups attempting to depart via non-procedural means at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.