By Neelam Rahim

Saudi authorities have determined to implement the ‘mahram legislation’ (accompanied by a male guardian) for girls under 45 years of age visiting to carry out Hajj in response to the Basic Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA).

Per the latest instructions issued by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), women below 45 years of age travelling to Saudi Arabia without Mahram will be deported immediately.

GACA has issued a new decree to implement the Haj directives stating that “(women under the age of 45) shall not board Haj flights unless their male guardian is on their Haj visa. Do not enlist. Women in violation will be deported from the same flight. Air carriers will be solely responsible for the cost,” read a statement from GACA.

The Saudi civil aviation authority also strictly warned all airlines bringing Hajj pilgrims to the Kingdom to abide by the rules. Otherwise, strict action would be taken and said that airlines involved in violating the rules would be fined.

The Kingdom has allowed up to one million people to join the Hajj pilgrimage this year, expanding it to foreign pilgrims after the Covid pandemic two years.

Last year, as the Kingdom moved towards a number of reforms, Saudi authorities allowed women over the age of 45 to perform the Hajj in groups without a mahram.