Baku: The first group of pilgrims from Azerbaijan is set to depart for the Hajj pilgrimage on May 25, as confirmed by Vusal Jahangiri, the head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Caucasian Muslims Office and the Head of the Hajj Electronic System.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Jahangiri further elaborated that additional groups of pilgrims will follow in stages. The document submission process for prospective pilgrims began on January 21 and is expected to conclude by the end of this week.

The pilgrimage package for each individual is priced at $5,950 USD, and the journey will be organized in a unified manner, utilizing air transportation. Prospective pilgrims are required to submit several documents for registration, including a civil passport valid for at least one year, a copy of their identity card, two color photographs (5 cm €š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬ 5 cm) against a white background, and a medical certificate. Document submissions are accepted on working days from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Caucasian Muslims Office in Baku.

APA reports that Saudi Arabia has introduced stringent penalties for this year’s Hajj season, which will apply for 44 days starting tomorrow. Individuals attempting to enter Mecca and other holy sites without the proper permits may face fines up to 20,000 riyals (approximately $5,300). Those facilitating unauthorized pilgrimage visas could be fined up to 100,000 riyals (approximately $26,000), while foreign visitors attempting unauthorized entry may face deportation and a 10-year re-entry ban. Vehicles carrying unauthorized pilgrims may also be confiscated by court order.