2026 Hajj: Saudi Authorities Debunk Henna-Linked Deportation Claims
By Khadija Muhammad Zakari
Saudi authorities have debunked circulating social media claims alleging that henna affected biometric fingerprint verification and led to the deportation of female Hajj pilgrims from Madinah airport, describing the reports as false and misleading.
The viral posts had suggested that some pilgrims were denied entry after failing fingerprint scans on arrival, purportedly due to henna applied on their hands.
However, officials have confirmed that there is no record of any pilgrim being deported on such grounds.
According to the authorities, Saudi Arabia operates a pre-travel biometric enrollment system that captures pilgrims’ fingerprints and facial data prior to departure from their countries of origin.
Authorities conduct this process through approved platforms, including the Saudi Visa Bio application, to ensure they verify identification data well in advance of travel.
Officials further explained that once a pilgrim completes the biometric registration and receives clearance, entry into the Kingdom is not solely dependent on fingerprint verification at arrival points.
Officials deploy complementary identification measures, including facial recognition and document authentication, to ensure seamless verification.
They also clarified that henna, commonly used by pilgrims does not constitute grounds for denial of entry.
The Kingdom’s biometric systems accommodate minor surface variations, and officials resolve any technical challenges through alternative verification procedures.
A review of official statements and credible reports found no evidence to support claims that henna-related biometric issues led to any pilgrim deportations.
Authorities have therefore urged the public to disregard the misinformation and rely on verified sources and official Hajj communication channels for accurate updates.
