Hyderabad, April 29 -- Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior has announced a penalty of Saudi Riyal (SAR) 20,000 for illegal Haj pilgrims and those who facilitate such travellers.

The ministry introduced a list of penalties that includes the imposition of the aforementioned penalty on all visit visa holders caught performing the Haj or even trying to enter and stay in Makkah. Those who apply for a visit visa on behalf of illegal pilgrims will have to pay a penalty of SAR 100,000, which will multiply based on the number of individuals involved.

The same penalty will be imposed on those who transport a visit visa holder to Makkah and the holy sites duringHaj season. It also applies to those who shelter or attempt to shelter visit visa holde...