According to recent reports, the Saudi Arabian authorities have arrested seven Nigerian pilgrims who were participating in this year's holy pilgrimage in Makkah. The reason for their arrest is their failure to possess NUSUK identity cards, also known as hajj permits.
The NUSUK ID card is a mandatory requirement introduced by the Saudi authorities to identify authorized participants in the Hajj pilgrimage. Not having the card can result in penalties, including a fine of SR10,000, six months' imprisonment, deportation, and a 10-year ban from Saudi Arabia.
The names of the arrested pilgrims have not been made public, and it is unclear if any assistance has been provided through the intervention of Nigeria's hajj commission.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has emphasized the importance of collecting and using NUSUK ID cards for the Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia. The commission has issued a circular to all state pilgrims welfare boards, agencies, commissions, and licensed Hajj tour operators, urging them to intensify awareness among pilgrims about the mandatory possession of NUSUK ID cards.
The NUSUK ID cards serve as a recognized means of identifying pilgrims and provide access to key areas during the Hajj pilgrimage. Pilgrims are advised to carry their cards at all times. For those with smartphones, there is also an option to download the NUSUK app from Playstore or iTunes stores and activate digital copies of their NUSUK cards using their passport and visa numbers.
Not having Hajj permits or aiding those without them can result in penalties, including a fine of SR10,000, six months' imprisonment, deportation, and a 10-year ban from Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Arabian religious authority has made it mandatory for every pilgrim to obtain a Hajj permit for the well-being of all.
The arrest of the seven Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for not possessing NUSUK ID cards highlights the importance of complying with the requirements set by the Saudi authorities. Pilgrims are urged to collect their NUSUK ID cards upon arrival in Makkah and carry them at all times during the Hajj pilgrimage.
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