Mohammed Obeid Al Mazrouie, executive director of the authority and head of the UAE Official Haj Mission, said business operations of Haj operators could be suspended in case of serious violations.

For instance, if an operator is found transferring pilgrims to another contractor without approval of the Haj and Umrah Department or the official Haj mission, a fine of Dh100 for each pilgrim will be imposed, said Al Mazrouie.

Any contractor who is caught leasing his licence to another party will lose the licence and fined Dh50,000.

Cancellation of licence and a fine of Dh10,000 awaits any contractor who allows unlicensed scholars to preach the pilgrims in his group.

Absence of the Haj operator or his national representative to follow up procedures with government departments and the official Haj mission
will invite a fine of Dh20,000.

If the Haj and Umrah Department is not informed of the departure of pilgrims from the UAE by land or air, a fine of Dh10,000 will be imposed
on each trip.

Non-submission of cash guarantee on time will mean a fine of Dh500 for each day and if the period exceeds a month, the contractor will not be allowed to send pilgrims this year.

A fine of Dh20,000 and cancellation of licence will be imposed on any contractor who informs the mission of his intention to not go on Haj after the deadline (end of Ramadan).

If the contractor fails to provide ID card to each pilgrim and does not submit a list of pilgrims in a CD at the assigned time, he will face a fine of Dh500 for each pilgrim.

Changing the site of accommodation which was agreed upon by the mission and not informing the housing committee by the end of Shawal will invite a fine of Dh50,000.

Mismanagement of the campaign will be punishable with Dh5,000 fine for each case and the administrator will not be allowed to practice the profession with any other campaign.

A fine of Dh5,000 will be imposed on the operator if he changes the office telephone or fax numbers without notifying the official Haj mission.

Non-separation of foreign men and women in rooms will invite a fine of Dh1,000 for each room.

Violation of food protocols under the contractor-pilgrim contract will invite a fine of Dh100 for each pilgrim.

Breaching of hygiene requirements would entail a fine of Dh100
for each site.

Absence of a licensed male or female doctor from the UAE will invite a fine of Dh10,000 and lack of a treatment room or an ambulance will invite a fine of Dh10,000.

Not informing the mission of the address in the holy lands or changing it after arrival there will invite a fine of Dh50,000.

Finally, Dh1,000 fine will
be imposed on contractors who do not place a clear signboard to locate the site of the campaign.

adel@khaleejtimes.com