logo
Saudi Interior Ministry Arrests 6 People for Transporting Pilgrims without Hajj Permits

Saudi Interior Ministry Arrests 6 People for Transporting Pilgrims without Hajj Permits

Asharq Al-Awsat28-05-2025
The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday the arrest of six citizens for violating Hajj regulations by transporting 20 individuals without permits to perform the Hajj.
The Hajj Security Forces made the arrests at the entrances of the holy city of Makkah.
The Interior Ministry ordered fines of up to SAR100,000 against the detainees.
If charged, they could face prison sentences.
It ordered the public naming of the violators, the deportation of residents involved, and a 10-year ban from re-entering the Kingdom following the completion of their sentence.
It called for the confiscation of the vehicles used in the unauthorized transport of the pilgrims and ordered a fine of up to SAR20,000 on those who attempted to perform the Hajj without a permit.
The ministry urged all citizens and residents to comply with Hajj regulations and instructions to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Israel far right presses Netanyahu for decisive win against Hamas
Israel far right presses Netanyahu for decisive win against Hamas

Al Arabiya

time34 minutes ago

  • Al Arabiya

Israel far right presses Netanyahu for decisive win against Hamas

Israel's far right pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to go harder against Hamas, ahead of a UN Security Council meeting Sunday on the premier's bid to conquer Gaza City. Twenty-two months into the war in Gaza, Israel is gripped by a yawning divide, pitting those calling for an end of the conflict along with a deal for the release of the hostages against others who want to see Hamas vanquished once and for all. The debate has only intensified after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet announced plans Friday to expand the conflict and capture Gaza City. While thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv Saturday night to protest the cabinet's decision, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich posted a video online, slamming Netanyahu's decision on Gaza as half-hearted. 'The prime minister and the cabinet gave in to weakness. Emotion overcame reason, and they once again chose to do more of the same -- launching a military operation whose goal is not decisive victory, but rather to apply limited pressure on Hamas in order to bring about a partial hostage deal,' Smotrich said. 'They decided once again to repeat the same approach, embarking on a military operation that does not aim for a decisive resolution.' The far-right members of Netanyahu's cabinet, including Smotrich, have maintained considerable influence in the premier's coalition government throughout the war -- with their support seen as vital to holding at least 61-seats for a parliamentary majority. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, also of the far right, told Kan radio on Sunday: 'It is possible to achieve victory. I want all of Gaza, transfer and colonization. This plan will not endanger the troops.' In Tel Aviv, demonstrators held up pictures of hostages still in Gaza, calling on the government to secure their release. 'We will end with a direct message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: if you invade parts of Gaza and the hostages are murdered, we will pursue you in the town squares, in election campaigns and at every time and place,' Shahar Mor Zahiro, the relative of a slain hostage, told AFP. Wave of condemnation Amid the back and forth in Israel, the cabinet's decision to expand the war in Gaza has touched off a wave of criticism across the globe. On Sunday, the UN security council is set to meet to discuss the latest development. Foreign powers, including some of Israel's allies, have been pushing for a negotiated truce to secure the hostages' return and help alleviate a humanitarian crisis in the Strip following repeated warnings of an unfolding famine taking hold. Despite the backlash and rumors of dissent from Israeli military top brass, Netanyahu has remained firm. In a post on social media late Friday, Netanyahu said 'we are not going to occupy Gaza -- we are going to free Gaza from Hamas.' The premier has faced regular protests over the course of the war, with many rallies calling for the government to strike a deal after past truces saw hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. Out of 251 hostages captured during Hamas's 2023 attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the military says are dead. Israel's offensive has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, figures the United Nations says are reliable. Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel -- which triggered the war -- resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Israel far right presses Netanyahu for decisive win against Hamas
Israel far right presses Netanyahu for decisive win against Hamas

Arab News

timean hour ago

  • Arab News

Israel far right presses Netanyahu for decisive win against Hamas

JERUSALEM: Israel's far right pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to go harder against Hamas, ahead of a UN Security Council meeting Sunday on the premier's bid to conquer Gaza City. Twenty-two months into the war in Gaza, Israel is gripped by a yawning divide, pitting those calling for an end of the conflict along with a deal for the release of the hostages against others who want to see Hamas vanquished once and for all. The debate has only intensified after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet announced plans Friday to expand the conflict and capture Gaza City. While thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv Saturday night to protest the cabinet's decision, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich posted a video online, slamming Netanyahu's decision on Gaza as half-hearted. 'The prime minister and the cabinet gave in to weakness. Emotion overcame reason, and they once again chose to do more of the same — launching a military operation whose goal is not decisive victory, but rather to apply limited pressure on Hamas in order to bring about a partial hostage deal,' Smotrich said. 'They decided once again to repeat the same approach, embarking on a military operation that does not aim for a decisive resolution.' The far-right members of Netanyahu's cabinet, including Smotrich, have maintained considerable influence in the premier's coalition government throughout the war — with their support seen as vital to holding at least 61-seats for a parliamentary majority. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, also of the far right, told Kan radio on Sunday: 'It is possible to achieve victory. I want all of Gaza, transfer and colonization. This plan will not endanger the troops.' In Tel Aviv, demonstrators held up pictures of hostages still in Gaza, calling on the government to secure their release. 'We will end with a direct message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: if you invade parts of Gaza and the hostages are murdered, we will pursue you in the town squares, in election campaigns and at every time and place,' Shahar Mor Zahiro, the relative of a slain hostage, told AFP. Amid the back and forth in Israel, the cabinet's decision to expand the war in Gaza has touched off a wave of criticism across the globe. On Sunday, the UN security council is set to meet to discuss the latest development. Foreign powers, including some of Israel's allies, have been pushing for a negotiated truce to secure the hostages' return and help alleviate a humanitarian crisis in the Strip following repeated warnings of an unfolding famine taking hold. Despite the backlash and rumors of dissent from Israeli military top brass, Netanyahu has remained firm. In a post on social media late Friday, Netanyahu said 'we are not going to occupy Gaza — we are going to free Gaza from Hamas.' The premier has faced regular protests over the course of the war, with many rallies calling for the government to strike a deal after past truces saw hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. Out of 251 hostages captured during Hamas's 2023 attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the military says are dead. Israel's offensive has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, figures the United Nations says are reliable. Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel — which triggered the war — resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Iraq toughens stance against pro-Iran faction after Baghdad clash
Iraq toughens stance against pro-Iran faction after Baghdad clash

Al Arabiya

time4 hours ago

  • Al Arabiya

Iraq toughens stance against pro-Iran faction after Baghdad clash

The Iraqi government toughened its position towards pro-Iran faction Kata'ib Hezbollah on Saturday, announcing some members would be tried over a recent deadly clash and others had been stripped of their commands. The decision follows an attack on a government office in south Baghdad late last month that killed three people, including a policeman, and which the authorities blamed on the group. Like other armed groups trained by Iran during the war against ISIS, Kata'ib Hezbollah or Hezbollah Brigades were integrated into the regular security forces as part of the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) force. However, the faction has developed a reputation for sometimes acting on its own. Iraq's Joint Operations Command previously said that more than a dozen suspects were detained over the July 27 attack on an agriculture ministry office, which was prompted by the sacking of the director. Saturday's government statement said the suspects were 'fighters belonging to Hezbollah Brigades and affiliated to Regiments 45 and 46 of the Hashed al-Shaabi.' It charged that the attack on the ministry's office had been led by the former director. 'In addition to being implicated in several cases of corruption,' the suspected ringleader stood accused of 'falsifying official documents, certificates and contracts so that farmland could be confiscated from its legitimate owners,' the statement said. The government said it regretted 'command and control failings within the Hashed al-Shaabi' and condemned the 'presence of armed factions which do not respect military rules and procedures.' The authorities announced the 'dismissal of the commanders of Regiments 45 and 46' and the prosecution of 'everybody implicated' in the case. A security official speaking on condition of anonymity said 25 people faced trial -- the Kata'ib Hezbollah fighters and the former head of the ministry office. The group says many of those detained had nothing to do with last month's clash. The case comes amid deep divisions in Iraq over a proposed law that would further formalize the role -- and perhaps, the autonomy -- of the Hashed al-Shaabi. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the proposed legislation 'would institutionalize Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq's sovereignty.' Formed in 2014 when Iraqis were urged to take up arms against ISIS, the Hashed now counts more than 200,000 fighters and employees, and wields major military and political clout. With AFP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store