Allegation that 'Diyanet reported Turkish citizens to the Saudis': Statement issued by the Presidency

It has been alleged that the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) reported Turkish citizens who traveled to the Hajj on tourist, work, or commercial visas to the Saudi Arabian administration.

According to a report by Veli Toprak from Sözcü, it is stated that the Saudis searched for the Turkish citizens reported by Diyanet hotel by hotel, and after imposing a fine of 10,000 riyals (86,000 TL), deported them.

"WE REPORTED THEM THIS YEAR"

It was understood through his own admission that the source of the problem, which affects approximately 20,000-25,000 Turkish citizens, is Hüseyin Demirhan, Head of the Hajj Services Department at the Presidency of Religious Affairs. In a conversation with a group, Demirhan stated that he reported Turks who went to the Hajj outside of their quotas, saying:

“We have pilgrims who come unplanned and without a program on commercial and tourist visas. You remember there used to be a 3-month Hajj; they would go during Ramadan and return during Eid al-Adha. There were many people who went early and hid there, waiting in hotels to go to Arafat last year. We reported them this year. We filed complaints, saying, ‘These people are undermining our organization.’”

"PUT AN END TO THIS SHAMEFUL SITUATION"

DEVA Party Deputy Chairman Mehmet Emin Ekmen reacted to Diyanet and called on Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan and President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş to “put an end to this shameful situation.”

Ekmen said the following:

“There are Hajj candidates in Mecca outside of the Hajj quota allocated to our country. The Turkish Diyanet has denounced and reported Turkish citizens to Saudi authorities. What are you dealing with, Diyanet? You are reporting people because they don't pay you exorbitant prices. How many general managers are in Saudi Arabia under the pretext of the Hajj? How much per diem will each of them receive after 40 days? As if it isn't enough that you get the Hajj for free, are you going to collect money on top of it?”

STATEMENT FROM DIYANET

In a statement issued by the Presidency of Religious Affairs, it was reported that sanctions against those without a Hajj visa are entirely under the jurisdiction of Saudi Arabia.

The following statements were included in the statement made by the Presidency:

“The footage that has caused unrealistic interpretations in the public eye is a section taken out of context from our Department Head's speech at the Hajj Training Seminar held at our Presidency on April 25, 2024, with the beginning and end cut off.

A member of our staff who will serve during the Hajj expressed that people came without a Hajj visa during the 2023 Hajj and that grievances were experienced because of this, and asked whether measures would be taken this year. Upon this question, our Department Head mentioned that the organizations that mislead our citizens and cause grievances were reported.

As alleged in some posts and statements regarding the subject, the claim that our Presidency reported our citizens who came to Saudi Arabia without a Hajj visa to the relevant authorities during the 2024 Hajj period is completely untrue. Furthermore, as is clearly understood from the date of the meeting where the footage was taken, the Hajj period had not yet begun on that date.

Saudi Arabian authorities announced in multiple statements prior to the 2024 Hajj period that those without a Hajj visa would not be admitted to Mecca, and that those who entered in violation of Saudi Arabian laws would be subject to various administrative and financial sanctions and removed from Mecca.

Therefore, sanctions against those without a Hajj visa are entirely under the jurisdiction of the Saudi Arabian authorities who host the Hajj.”

News Source: 12punto