TGA warns against transporting people to Makkah and holy sites without permits
Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — The Transport General Authority (TGA) has directed all transport operators across Saudi Arabia, particularly in Makkah, to strictly adhere to the concerned authorities' instructions not to provide transportation to any passengers heading to Makkah or the holy sites without a Hajj permit or an entry permit for work or residence in the holy city.
The new rules, which came into effect on April 29, are part of measures recently announced by the Ministry of Interior to regulate the movement of crowds and maintain the security and safety of pilgrims. Under the regulations, violators caught transporting visit visa holders to Makkah and the holy sites or attempting to do so during the period between Dhul Qada 1 and Dhul-Hijjah 14, would face penalties and a fine of up to SR100000.
The penalties also include confiscating any means of land transport used to carry individuals with visit visas to these locations, following a ruling by the relevant court. The TGA clarified that this applies regardless of whether the vehicle is owned by the carrier, an accomplice, or someone who contributed to the offence.
Furthermore, the authority also reminded all licensed carriers of the need to fulfil regulatory requirements for the upcoming Hajj season. This, it said, includes obtaining the correct licenses and operating permits for vehicles and drivers, adhering to designated routes, and not entering areas subject to Hajj rules without prior permission.
The TGA also urged full cooperation with security and oversight authorities at checkpoints. The authority further warned that anyone violating the rules would face penalties. 'The measures are part of the transport authority's operational plan for the Hajj season, aiming to support compliance and safety levels and ensure the smooth flow of authorized pilgrims. This would reflect the quality and efficiency of transportation services provided during the season,' the authority added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
15 hours ago
- Arab News
What pilgrims are sharing online after their journey
RIYADH: For many pilgrims, the spiritual journey of Hajj does not end when they leave the holy sites. It continues — quietly, intentionally — in the days and weeks that follow. Across Saudi Arabia, young pilgrims are using social media to process the weight of Hajj and share the experience with loved ones. Noor Ahmad, 21, did not plan to post during her pilgrimage. But after she returned, the urge to share came naturally. After returning from Hajj, I decided to share a few captured moments. But how can a photo truly capture the depth and majesty of the experience? Noor Ahmad 'After returning from Hajj, I decided to share a few captured moments,' she said. 'But how can a photo truly capture the depth and majesty of the experience?' She described how people responded in varied ways. 'Those who had gone before felt nostalgic and started sharing their own stories. Others — those who hadn't been yet — expressed their longing. It became this moment of connection.' For Noor, the decision to post was not about aesthetics. 'It's a monumental event. Maybe I could inspire someone who's hesitant to go. Maybe they'll see what I saw — and want to experience it for themselves. 'It was my way of saying thank you' Shatha Al-Jadaan, 25, took a different approach to sharing, after taking a digital detox. I enjoy sharing meaningful moments, and after seeing the tremendous effort put into Hajj on every level, I felt my post was a small, sincere gesture of appreciation. Shatha Al-Jadaan 'During Hajj, I decided to partially fast from social media. I used only the essentials,' she said. 'After I returned, I posted a thread to my close friends explaining where I'd been and shared some of the most meaningful moments.' The response was full of prayers and warmth. 'People were kind, supportive, and curious. But what mattered most to me was that I used the thread to say thank you — to the organizers, to the volunteers, and to Allah.' She spoke about how she found value in using digital platforms to document something greater than herself. 'I enjoy sharing meaningful moments, and after seeing the tremendous effort put into Hajj on every level, I felt my post was a small, sincere gesture of appreciation.' Salem Al-Khudair, 28, recorded a voice note to his family group chat while performing the rites. 'I just couldn't find the words to write. So I recorded myself speaking right after standing in Arafat. I sent it to my family WhatsApp group. My mom was emotional. My dad said, 'May God accept from you.' That was enough.' In an age of curated content, Hajj posts tend to stand out for their sincerity. Pilgrims often strip away the filters, metaphors and trend-driven formats, and just speak from the heart. Noura Al-Dosari, 23, uploaded a private Instagram story highlight with no captions. 'Just visuals. No filters. No hashtags,' she said. 'It wasn't for followers. It was for me. For reflection. A digital bookmark of who I became.' Some write long captions, others simply post a photo of their ihram folded neatly back into a drawer. But all of them carry a silent message: I went. I came back different. Many pilgrims use their posts to recall moments of physical hardship that brought emotional breakthroughs — the heat, the long walks, the brief but powerful connections with strangers. Others use it to highlight the seamless organization of the pilgrimage as a reminder of how far the experience has evolved. Amani Al-Saad, 26, used X to share a short story about a volunteer who helped her carry her bag in Muzdalifah. 'She didn't speak much, but she smiled at me and said, 'This is what we're here for.' That stuck with me. I wrote about it as a reminder to myself — that sometimes the smallest moments hold the most meaning.' While digital connections are increasingly common, most pilgrims emphasize that the real processing happens offline — in quiet conversations with family, in their prayer rooms, or on long drives home. 'I didn't post to perform,' said Al-Jadaan. 'I posted to remember.'
Leaders
16 hours ago
- Leaders
stc Enhances Pilgrim Experience in Madinah with AI-Driven Digital Infrastructure
stc Group has reinforced its technical and operational capabilities to provide reliable, AI-powered connectivity for pilgrims arriving in Madinah after completing Hajj. Through cutting-edge digital infrastructure and smart solutions, stc ensures seamless communication throughout the city. A major part of this readiness included upgrading and deploying 86 5G network towers around the Prophet's Mosque and surrounding central areas, significantly improving coverage and speed in densely populated zones. Additionally, 80 indoor network systems were activated to ensure stable connectivity within enclosed spaces and pathways around the mosque. This is further supported by 226 towers across Madinah, providing wide-reaching coverage and smooth data transmission. To maintain high service quality, stc launched 16 maintenance and operations centers, complemented by a 24/7 AI-powered monitoring hub that analyzes network performance and anticipates demand—enabling fast, automated responses during peak times. To assist pilgrims and visitors, stc also established 67 sales points in key locations across Madinah, particularly near the Prophet's Mosque, offering telecommunications services and on-the-spot technical support. These initiatives reflect stc Group's commitment to using AI and digital innovation to ensure secure, seamless connectivity at every stage of the pilgrim journey. Related Topics : Saudi STC Launches Major Lending Push Backed by Western Union GASTAT Reports 13.4% Growth in Non-Oil Exports in Q1 2025, 10.7% Increase in March Saudi Arabia Welcomes Foreign Real Estate Investors Outside Holy Cities All You Need to Know about Hajj Rituals: A Step-by-Step Guide Short link : Post Views: 15
Leaders
16 hours ago
- Leaders
SDAIA Implements Advanced AI Technologies to Streamline Pilgrim Departures
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has strengthened its technical preparedness for the departure phase of pilgrims during the 1446 Hajj season. This includes deploying advanced technologies across land border crossings, seaports, and airports to support smooth and efficient departure registration procedures. SDAIA is committed to delivering top-tier services by leveraging cutting-edge technology at all entry and exit points. Its engineering teams are providing continuous, on-site technical support at workstations located throughout these border crossings. These stations have been outfitted with the latest systems to offer fully integrated services to pilgrims. In addition, SDAIA has developed the technical infrastructure at these locations to the highest standards, ensuring that all crossing points are fully equipped to handle departure procedures quickly and effectively. Related Topics: SDAIA President Reviews Smart Makkah Center Operations to Enhance Pilgrim Services SFDA, SDAIA Sign MoU to Boost Data, AI Collaboration Saudi Interior Min.: Tourism Companies Deceive Pilgrims, Encourage Hajj Violations Riyadh Global Health Exhibition to Bring Together Int'nal Healthcare Experts Intensive Preparations for Smooth, Safe Hajj Season: Mecca Deputy Governor Short link : Post Views: 1 Related Stories
