Algerians “beg” Hadj visa at Saudi embassy

General Director of Hadj and Omra National Office Cheikh Berbara said all the applicants who have Hadj book and biometric passport will perform Hadj.

Berbara said the Office will not deal with independent pilgrims who cause a mass every year as they enter camps illegally.

Everyday, tens of people are seen waiting next to the Saudi embassy in Algiers hoping to get a visa for Hadj rituals performance. Those men and women spend hours in a long queue under the sun waiting for a positive reply from the embassy.

Each year, the embassy offers 4,000 visas for independent pilgrims.

A Saudi company called Oum Joud is in charge of the independent pilgrims. They have to let their passports at airports or crossing points until the end of Hadj season.