The Hajj pilgrimage is perhaps one of the most important pilgrimage for those of the Muslim faith. The pilgrimage is taken annually by millions of Muslims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia considered to be the holiest city in the religion. According to Statista, in 2023, almost 1.84 million pilgrims visited Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage.
Considering how important this event is for Muslims, Saudi Arabia’s recent warning to Pakistan about the rise in Pakistani nationals to the Kingdom using the guise of religious pilgrimage is indeed serious.
The Saudi Government called out Islamabad about individuals who are entering the country using the reason of religious pilgrimage or Hajj but then engaging in begging.
They warned that failure to take action against such people could result in negative consequences for Pakistani Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.
What Did Saudi Arabia Say?
The Express Tribune newspaper claimed that as per sources from Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Saudi authorities have warned against beggars using the Umrah visa to enter the country.
The paper states, “The Saudi Ministry of Hajj has issued a warning to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, urging action to prevent Pakistani beggars from entering the kingdom under Umrah visas.”
The Umrah Visa, issued by the Ministry of Hajj is a 90-day visa that pilgrims can use to enter Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage.
This visa is required to visit the holy sites and perform the pilgrimage activities. It can only be applied for through travel agents authorized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj & Umrah.
Read More: Watch: Things You Need To Know About The Muslim Pilgrimage ‘Umrah’
Last month, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) removed 11 beggars from a flight to Saudi Arabia at Karachi airport. As per FIA officials, the passengers revealed during the immigration process that their purpose for visiting Saudi Arabia was to beg.
According to a Business Standard report, in September 2023, “16 beggars disguised as pilgrims were offloaded from a Saudi Arabia-bound flight and arrested for trying to travel to the Gulf Kingdom to indulge in begging.”
The Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis Arshad Mahmood also commented last year about how several Gulf countries had brought up concerns on the behaviour of Pakistani nationals including their work ethics, attitudes, and involvement in criminal activities, as per reports.
What Is Pakistan’s Reaction?
In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs is introducing the “Umrah Act” which will regulate travel agencies that carry out Umrah trips. The reports claim this move will bring those travel agencies under legal oversight.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Ahmed Al-Malki, also reportedly assured that strict measures would be taken against the people responsible for this and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is leading the crackdown.
According to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development around 90% of the beggars detained in foreign countries are Pakistani nationals. Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Zeeshan Khanzada also reportedly said that many of the pickpockets caught in the grand mosque of Mecca are from Pakistan.
According to news agency PTI, “Pakistani beggars travel to the Middle East under the guise of ziarat (pilgrimage). Most people visit Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas and then indulge in begging-related activities, Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Zeeshan Khanzada said last year.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, Business Standard
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Pakistan, Pakistan, Pakistan beggars, Saudi Arabia Pakistan beggars, Saudi Arabia beggars, Pakistan Ministry of Religious Affairs, hajj, hajj saudi arabia, Umrah visas
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