Pilgrims from Oman advised to report Haj service violations to commission

Muscat: Pilgrims have been asked to report any violations committed by campaign organisers to the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, according to an official statement released by the ministry on social media.
“If there is a difference between the services offered by the campaign organisers and those provided, the pilgrims should complain to the Haj Commission,” the ministry tweeted.
It also stated that all Haj pilgrims travelling by land to Mecca had crossed the border without any issues. Last year, around 150 Haj pilgrims were sent back from Saudi Arabia as their details had not been registered with the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs. A number of Haj campaign organisers were later sent to the public prosecutor for faking Haj permit documents.
In 2014, 100 cases were registered against Haj campaign organisers for violating rules, including 75 administrative staff, as well as 25 criminal cases, involving bribery, forgery and conducting fake campaigns. Administrative cases related to poor management, both in terms of food and pilgrims, were also reported.
Reminders of heftier fines for performing Haj without a proper permit and transfer of pilgrims without permits were issued by @makkahregion ahead of the annual pilgrimage.
It said any Haj campaign organiser found transporting pilgrims without Haj permits will be slapped with a fine of 100,000 Saudi rials (OMR10,000).
The violator will also be sentenced to not more than two years jail and his vehicle will be seized.
Similar reminders advised expatriate Haj pilgrims to leave Saudi Arabia before their visas expire.
The reminder stated that anyone exceeding the visa period to perform haj will be deported and will have to pay 15,000 Saudi rials (OMR1,500).