Call to Erdoğan from pilgrims deported for lacking Hajj visas: 'They took us like trash'
Pilgrims who attempted to perform their Hajj pilgrimage through private tour companies rather than the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) were taken from their hotels by Saudi Arabian police. The pilgrims, who are waiting to be deported, issued a call to AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan via a video they recorded.
It has been alleged that the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) reported Turkish citizens who traveled to Saudi Arabia with tourist, work, or commercial visas to the Saudi Arabian administration.
It is claimed that upon Diyanet's complaint, Saudi authorities searched for Turkish citizens hotel by hotel, fined them 10,000 riyals (86,000 TL), and subsequently deported them.
The Presidency of Religious Affairs responded to the allegations, stating that sanctions against those without Hajj visas are the responsibility of Saudi Arabia.
Diyanet stated that the claim that it reported citizens who came to Saudi Arabia without a Hajj visa during the 2024 Hajj season is untrue.
It was emphasized that Saudi Arabian authorities have repeatedly announced that those without Hajj visas will not be admitted to Mecca and that those who enter in violation of their laws will be subject to administrative and financial sanctions.
Diyanet declared that sanctions against those without Hajj visas are entirely under the authority of Saudi Arabian officials.
İSMAİL SAYMAZ SHARED THE VIDEO POSTED BY PILGRIMS
While families have been unable to reach the pilgrims who traveled to the holy lands to fulfill their religious duties—a situation for which Diyanet refuses to accept responsibility—journalist İsmail Saymaz brought the grievances to light with a video he shared on his social media account.
Highlighting the grievances through the video, Saymaz added the following note to the footage:
"Some citizens who went on Hajj with private tour companies are being held in custody by Saudi Arabian police to be deported after being taken from their hotels following Diyanet's tip-off and complaint that 'These people do not have Hajj visas.' Their families cannot reach the pilgrims."
Call to Erdoğan from pilgrims deported for lacking Hajj visas: 'They took us like trash'https://t.co/X7Rw0LUREZ pic.twitter.com/ANLw8Mu0bd
— 12punto (@12puntocomtr) June 15, 2024
News Source: 12punto
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