Strict permit checks, heat safety rules in focus ahead of Hajj
MAKKAH: Pilgrims without a Nusuk card will not be granted access to the Grand Mosque, the holy sites or transportation services during this year's Hajj, Saudi authorities have said.
Speaking at a meeting with heads of official Hajj missions during the 49th Grand Hajj Symposium in Jeddah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah highlighted the importance of adhering to movement regulations to protect pilgrims and enhance their spiritual experience.
He described the Nusuk card as a 'fundamental regulatory tool to ensure orderly performance of the pilgrimage and prevent violations,' according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Addressing concerns about extreme weather, the minister advised pilgrims to remain in their tents on the Day of Arafah from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to avoid heat-related illnesses.
He warned that uncoordinated group movements compromise safety and disrupt the flow of pilgrims.
The Day of Arafah, the most significant day of Hajj, falls on Thursday, June 5 this year.
Al-Rabiah added that pilgrims must not walk from Arafat to Muzdalifah and should use designated transport systems instead.
He said that effective crowd management and transportation plans are essential for safety and require collective compliance.
Al-Rabiah added that this Hajj season will see stricter enforcement of permit regulations, in line with the Kingdom's commitment to a safe, organized and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage.
The Nusuk card, issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, is a mandatory ID and entry pass for pilgrims and workers at the holy sites.
In addition to identification, it aids logistics, facilitates communication with Hajj missions, grants access to schedules and services, and allows pilgrims to submit feedback.
It also helps authorities monitor crowd movement and send alerts to ensure a safe and organized pilgrimage. Pilgrims receive the card through their service provider, which is responsible for its distribution.
A digital version is available via the official Nusuk app, but it does not replace the printed card, which must be carried at all times.
According to the ministry, the card expires at the end of the Hajj season, with all data erased. However, pilgrims may keep the physical card as a souvenir and proof of completing Hajj.
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