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A sweeping crackdown by Saudi Arabian authorities targeting individuals with irregular Hajj visas has plunged several thousand Bangladeshi expatriate workers into a state of fear and uncertainty. The stringent operation, aimed at ensuring the safety and order of the upcoming annual Hajj pilgrimage, has seen Saudi police conduct extensive searches of residential accommodations in Mecca and other areas, demanding to inspect the validity of residency permits (iqamas). Substandard hotels believed to be housing unpermitted pilgrims have also been sealed off.
Many Bangladeshi residents in Mecca and Jeddah have been effectively confined to their rooms for the past five to six days, too afraid to venture out and risk arrest. Adding to their distress, there have been verified accounts of Bangladeshi workers holding valid residency permits, some with up to eight months remaining before expiry, being detained and subsequently deported.
Sources within the expatriate Bangladeshi community estimate that hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi workers are currently employed in Saudi Arabia. While precise figures on those directly impacted by this specific crackdown are still emerging, the number is believed to be in the several thousands, creating widespread anxiety among the broader Bangladeshi workforce in the kingdom. Many fear that even minor discrepancies in their documentation or misunderstandings could lead to detention and deportation.
The intensified enforcement comes as the Saudi Ministry of Interior implements strict measures to prevent unauthorized individuals from participating in the Hajj. The ministry has explicitly warned that those found performing or attempting to perform Hajj without the required permits, including individuals on visit visas, will face hefty fines of up to SR20,000 (approximately $5,300).
Furthermore, the Saudi authorities are casting a wide net, extending liability to anyone facilitating illegal Hajj attempts. Sponsors, landlords, hotel operators, and drivers who knowingly assist individuals in bypassing Hajj regulations could face severe penalties, including fines up to SR100,000, potential deportation with a ten-year reentry ban, and the confiscation of vehicles used in the violation, subject to judicial approval.
The Ministry of Interior has emphasized that these penalties will be multiplied based on the number of individuals involved in each violation, underscoring the seriousness with which Saudi Arabia is approaching the management of this year's pilgrimage. The clear message being conveyed is that only those possessing valid Hajj permits issued through official channels will be granted access to Mecca and the surrounding holy sites during the Hajj season.
The current situation has left a significant segment of the Bangladeshi expatriate community in Saudi Arabia feeling vulnerable and deeply concerned about their immediate future. The fear of arbitrary detention and deportation, even for those with seemingly valid documentation, is palpable, highlighting the precarious situation faced by many migrant workers as the Kingdom tightens its grip on Hajj regulations.
