Islamic Affairs: Ban on celebrity participation in administrative teams for Hajj campaigns

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, through the Directorate of Hajj and Umrah Affairs, issued a circular to all licensed Hajj companies requiring strict adherence to the regulations governing the participation of media personnel and celebrities in the upcoming Hajj season. The circular, obtained by Al-Qabas, was issued in light of directives from the relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the regulation of celebrity participation. It emphasized that media personnel’s participation in the Hajj season is limited to their professional media roles within the accredited media team of the Kuwaiti Hajj Mission.

The circular stated that it is prohibited to include media personnel and celebrities in the administrative or organizational teams accompanying Kuwaiti Hajj caravans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The regulations also prohibit media personnel and celebrities present in Saudi Arabia from using social media platforms for commercial promotion of Hajj caravans.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs called on all licensed entities to comply with the provisions of the circular and to observe its stipulations when preparing the lists of accompanying teams for their caravans, while adhering to the applicable rules and instructions. It held violators accountable for any consequences arising from non-compliance. The ministry stressed that the circular aims to regulate the participation of media personnel and celebrities and to clearly separate media functions from the administrative and organizational duties of licensed Hajj companies and caravans.