Saudi Arabia is taking big steps to make sure that only legal pilgrims can get to the holy places during the upcoming Hajj season, which is coming up quickly.
To simplify the hajj process, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj has introduced the Nusuk Card, a form of official identification for legal pilgrims. During the launch event in Indonesia, the first batch was delivered to the Indonesian Hajj mission by Tawfik Al Rabiah, the Saudi Minister of Hajj.
The Nusuk Card, available both in physical and digital formats, provides detailed information about each pilgrim. To enter holy sites and navigate Mecca city during their Hajj pilgrimage, pilgrims are required to have and keep this card.
After getting their pilgrimage permits, foreigners can pick up the Nusuk Card at any of the Hajj offices. Meanwhile, once their Hajj permits are issued, local pilgrims can get them from authorized service providers.
Saudi Arabia issued a strong warning earlier this month in response to the increasing threat caused by fraudulent campaigns and websites that target individuals planning to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. All processes of the Hajj must be conducted through official and authentic channels, according to the government.
All pilgrims have been directed by the Ministry to get a Hajj permit through the Nusuk platform. The announcement was made in response to a statement made by Saudi Arabia’s highest Islamic organization, the Council of Senior Scholars, which emphasized that doing Hajj without an official permit is a grave sin.