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Dear Pilgrim Brothers and Sisters:
How to Perform The Rituals of Hajj and Umrah
Pilgrimage Organizing Instruction
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
Visa Section
601 New Hampshire Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
(202)342-3800
(202)944-3126
(202)944-3145
(202)944-5920
(202)944-5916
(202)944-3119
(202)944-5985
(202)944-5989
Fax:
(202)337-4084
The government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud takes great pride in serving and caring for the Holy Mosques. The King, government and people of Saudi Arabia are honored to serve the guests of Allah. They spare no effort and employ all available resources and capabilities to improve the services so as to make the blessed journey of pilgrims an easy one.
The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has implemented the biggest project ever to expand the sanctuary (Harem) are to accommodate the ever increasing number of pilgrims and those Muslims who visit to perform Umrah each year. In connection with this objective roads, tunnels and bridges have been built food and cold drinking water supplies secured. Moreover, all the government agencies have been mobilized to provide administrative, security , safety, health, transportation and communication services so as to ensure that all these facilities are in place and ready to serve the pilgrims when they arrive in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The following are the requirements to obtain a HAJJ VISA:
1. A valid passport for at least six months.
2. Non American citizens should submit to the Consular Section of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia a copy of their American Green Card and must travel directly to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia without making a stop in their respective countries. Students must present a letter from their universities and all Moroccans, residents of the United States and who wish to perform HAJJ, must get a certificate from their Embassies or any Moroccan Consulate.
3. A round trip ticket with a confirmed reservation to and out of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, should be submitted to the Consular Section of The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia.
4. One photograph should be submitted with the visa application as well as the pilgrim's arrival card that is to be correctly filled by the applicant.
5. Ladies over the age of 45 going to HAJJ should submit the necessary notarized legal documents to prove the relationship of the Mahram, otherwise they can travel with an organized group and submit a no objection letter from their husbands or sons. Such a letter should be notarized by a notary public located in must banks. Moreover, the accompanying Mahram will be forbidden to leave the Kingdom on his own.
6. Every person going to perform THE HOLY DUTIES OF HAJJ must have two certified bank drafts to be paid in Saudi Arabia upon arrival at Jeddah to "THE UNIFIED AGENTS OFFICE" The Certified Bank Drafts muss bear the name of the person his nationality, passport number, place and date of issue. The first check in the amount of S.R. 444 or U.S. $118.00 is a fee for various services Offered by different pilgrims establishments, Zamzem water agents and the residency., in Muna and Arafat during the Hajj days. The second check in the amount of S. R. 435 or U. S. $116.00 will represent the fares for transportation. Children under 7 years of age enter free. Children between the ages of 7-15 years, must pay half the amount, i.e. $117.20 the said amount should be included in the certified bank draft. The date of birth of all children must be indicated on the passports where they a, e registered.
7. The vaccinations of "Meningitis and Cholera" are required and the pilgrim must carry his vaccination certificate to be seen by the Consular Section of The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia and by the Saudi Arabian passport Authorities. Children from the age of two years and above must take a dose of the (ac) vaccine and those between the ages of three months and two years must take two doses of the vaccine (a).
In all cases, a self addressed envelope with the appropriate stamp must be attached with the passport package to speed up the return of passports.
Would our Moslem Brethren be kind enough to send the passports and all documents one week before they plan to travel for HAJJ.
Every pilgrim must take with him few passport size photos to use in all official matters upon arrival into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
1. Every pilgrim must carry with him a sufficient amount of money to cover all his expenses . This amount can be in the form of travelers checks or International Bank Draft and must be sufficient to pay for his accommodation in Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah and other expenses.
2. No food products are allowed to be brought in by the pilgrim unless in small quantities and in containers that can be easily opened to be checked.
3. Every pilgrim must hand in his passports to THE UNIFIED AGENTS' office representatives to enable them to complete all the formalities of travel to Makkah and Madinah.
4. Every pilgrim must avoid littering the grounds of the Two Holy Shrines and must use the designated locations for such purposes.
In case any pilgrim should lose his passport, he is to report the loss immediately to the office appointed to take care of him and must obtain a certificate from the office of the UNIFIED AGENTS, in which the loss of the passport is mentioned. No one will be allowed to depart either by air, land or sea from the Kingdom without this certificate.
Last date of travel from Jeddah to Madinah by car will be the end of the day of 26 Dhu Al Qada corresponding to April 4, 1997 A.D.
Last date for the pilgrims to travel from Jeddah to Madina by plane will be the end of the day of 2 Dhu Al Hajjah 1417H. corresponding to April 9, 1997.
Last date for the pilgrims to travel from Madinah to Makkah by car before the HAJJ will be the end of the day of 5 Dhu Al Hajjah 1417H. corresponding to April 12, 1997.
Last date of travel for the pilgrims from Madinah to Jeddah by plane before HAJJ will be the end of the day of 6 Dhu Al Hajjah 1417H. correspond;n, to April 13, 1 997.
The rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia forbids any pilgrim from staying in the Kingdom after he has fulfilled his pilgrimage and therefore must leave the Kingdom on the set date or be subjected to penalties. All pilgrims are requested to leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after Hajj, and their stay should not exceed Muharram 10,1417H.
The laws and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requests that all pilgrims entering the Kingdom for HAJJ must comply with and respect the moral values and customs of the Saudi Society. It is forbidden to smuggle any prohibited items such as: alcohol, drugs, narcotics, pornographic materials, audio/video tapes or films. Sectarian, political or religious gatherings are forbidden. Any type of illegal drugs and narcotics for personal use or distribution is punishable by death.
All parties concerned with the safety of the HAJJ pilgrims will do their best to accommodate them and see that their safety is provided for. At the same time every pilgrim entering the Kingdom for the purpose of HAJJ must abide by the regulations and take into consideration the hospitality offered to them. Following are some safety tips to follow:
1. Avoid at all times walking under the sun, every pilgrim must carry his/ her umbrella to avoid a sun stroke, ( God Forbid ). In case of any health problems they must contact the nearest Health Department which is located all over the premises.
2. All objects of value and any official document must be kept in safety with al Mutawifeen in Makkah or the guides in Madinah If a pilgrim's life is in danger or if he has any complaints, he must immediately contact the nearest police station of the complaints committees located in Makkah or Madinah.
4. Special reminder to all pedestrians to avoid accidents in the tunnels that are designated for cars and buses. They must avoid walking in areas designated for cars and above all must not dash with the crowds during the Tawaf.
5. In case of any complaints against any pilgrim, the complaints must be directed to the complaints committee before the final departure from the Kingdom.
6. Every pilgrim during HAJJ must comply with and respect the moral values and customs of the Saudi Society, and above all respect the House of God. Thank you for your cooperation.