ID :
31154
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 21:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/31154
The shortlink copeid
SAUDI GOVT STOPS EXTENDING VALIDITY OF UMROH VISAS
Jeddah, Nov. 19 (ANTARA) - The Saudi government has stopped extending the validity of Umroh (minor Hajj) visas and intensified operations to round up visitors whose stay permits have expired.
Al-Nadwah daily reported here on Wednesday the Mecca immigration office had set the deadline of stay permits of Umrah pilgrims at October 14.
Umrah pilgrims found to be still in the country after October 14 would face legal sanctions and meet difficulties to return to Indonesia, the daily wrote.
Major General Abid Katib, the immigration director general's assistant in charge of Hajj and Umrah affairs, said those who brought illegal Hajj pilgrims to Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina, would be penalized with a fine of 10,000 rials per person.
Al Nadwah and the Indonesian Hajj Media Center in Saudi Arabia have established reporting cooperation during the 2008 Hajj season.
The Saudi daily had been publishing additional pages in the Indonesian language during Hajj pilgrimage seasons since four years ago, according to Dr Fahmi, an Indonesian national who works as an editor at the Saudi daily.
The Saudi newspaper distributed free among Indonesian Hajj pilgrims, publishes news on among other things Hajj activities and Saudi governmment regulations on manpower.
This year, around 202,000 Indonesians are to perform the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Being the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia is also one of the largest suppliers of migrant workers to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Nadwah daily reported here on Wednesday the Mecca immigration office had set the deadline of stay permits of Umrah pilgrims at October 14.
Umrah pilgrims found to be still in the country after October 14 would face legal sanctions and meet difficulties to return to Indonesia, the daily wrote.
Major General Abid Katib, the immigration director general's assistant in charge of Hajj and Umrah affairs, said those who brought illegal Hajj pilgrims to Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina, would be penalized with a fine of 10,000 rials per person.
Al Nadwah and the Indonesian Hajj Media Center in Saudi Arabia have established reporting cooperation during the 2008 Hajj season.
The Saudi daily had been publishing additional pages in the Indonesian language during Hajj pilgrimage seasons since four years ago, according to Dr Fahmi, an Indonesian national who works as an editor at the Saudi daily.
The Saudi newspaper distributed free among Indonesian Hajj pilgrims, publishes news on among other things Hajj activities and Saudi governmment regulations on manpower.
This year, around 202,000 Indonesians are to perform the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Being the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia is also one of the largest suppliers of migrant workers to Saudi Arabia.
