Saudi Arabia stops 269,678 Muslims without Hajj permits from entering Mecca
MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia has stopped more than 269,000 people without permits for the annual Hajj pilgrimage from entering Mecca, officials said Sunday, as authorities crack down on illegal journeys into the city.
The government blames overcrowding at the Hajj on unauthorized participants. It also says they made up large numbers of those who died in last year's searing summer heat.
The number of expulsions highlights the scale of unauthorized pilgrimages — as well as the demand to perform the Hajj. There are currently 1.4 million Muslims in Mecca officially, with more expected to arrive in the days to come.
There are fines of up to $5,000 and other punitive measures, like deportation, for anyone performing the Hajj without a permit. The policy includes citizens and those with Saudi residency.
At a press conference in Mecca, officials said they had stopped 269,678 people without permits from entering the city. According to the rules, only those with permits are allowed to perform the pilgrimage, even if they live in the city year-round.
Officials have also imposed penalties on more than 23,000 Saudi residents for violating Hajj regulations and revoked the licenses of 400 Hajj companies.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Omari told the media: 'The pilgrim is in our sight, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands.'
The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and involves a series of religious rituals. It's a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to do it.
But it has been marred in recent years by concerns about extreme temperatures, with pilgrims performing their rituals outdoors in peak daylight hours.
Historically, deaths are not uncommon at the Hajj, which has seen at times over 2 million people travel to Saudi Arabia for a five-day pilgrimage. It has also seen fatal stampedes and other accidents.
Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense said Sunday that drones were being used for the first time at the Hajj. These can be used for surveillance and monitoring, as well as extinguishing fires.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
⏳Inter-Inzaghi talks: renewal or exit, Saudi and Juve interest👀
The heavy 5-0 defeat suffered by Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League final has left a deep mark on Inter, but in these hours the club is called to resolve another fundamental issue: the future of Simone Inzaghi. The coach is considering a particularly enticing offer from Al-Hilal, which continues to push to bring him to Saudi Arabia, in addition to the sensational move made by Juventus in recent weeks. Advertisement A decisive meeting is set for today between the coach, President Marotta, Sporting Director Ausilio, and representatives of Oaktree: a summit that will clarify whether the paths between Inzaghi and Inter will separate or continue together. The management has already started to consider alternatives such as De Zerbi and Fabregas, while the American ownership of Oaktree is pushing for the confirmation of the coach who has guaranteed significant revenues. In fifteen days, Inter will be involved in the Club World Cup, making a decision on the future of the Nerazzurri bench unavoidable. 🤑 The future of Inzaghi and the offer from Al-Hilal Coach Simone Inzaghi is at the center of Inter's evaluations, just days after the bitter defeat in the Champions League final. Advertisement In recent days, a very rich offer has arrived from Al-Hilal, which the coach has not closed, suggesting some doubt on his part as well. In Arabia, there is talk of a ready contract with figures ranging between 30 and 50 million euros per year for a couple of seasons. Just in these hours, the appointed intermediary is in Milan to discuss the final details and get a definitive answer. The coach's decision must arrive within the next 24 hours. 💥 Today the decisive summit Today a crucial meeting is set between Inzaghi and the Inter management. In a climate of bitterness and reflection after the European defeat, the parties will try to understand if there are still conditions to continue together. Advertisement Inter does not want to start the new season with a coach expiring on June 30, 2026, and for this reason, the club has already started to evaluate alternatives. However, the American ownership of Oaktree, which has benefited from the revenues generated during the Inzaghi cycle, is pushing for the coach's confirmation. ⚖️ The alternatives: De Zerbi and Fabregas In case of a farewell with Inzaghi, the club is thinking of a young profile. De Zerbi is the favorite of Piero Ausilio, but he has already promised Marseille to stay another year in France. Fabregas, currently at Como, could instead become the first choice, but the Lombard club is not willing to stand by and the Spanish coach still needs to be convinced to accept the potential offer. 💣 The sensational attempt by Juventus Juventus, in recent weeks, has conducted a survey with Inzaghi's agent, Tullio Tinti. Advertisement According to Tuttosport, then director Cristiano Giuntoli had made contacts to evaluate the possibility of a future agreement, but the attempt stalled after the renewal of the Juventus technical area and the automatic confirmation of Igor Tudor until 2026, following qualification in the Champions League. However, the confirmation of Juventus' interest in Inzaghi remains, a sign that the Nerazzurri coach is also appreciated outside of Inter. 🏆 Club World Cup incoming Inter cannot afford further hesitation: in fifteen days the team will be in America to play the Club World Cup. The debut is set for Tuesday, June 17 at 18 local time, when it will be 3 in the morning on June 18 in Italy, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles against the Mexicans of Monterrey. Advertisement This imminent commitment imposes to quickly establish who will lead the team in the next season, whether it will still be Inzaghi or if a new coach will be chosen. So today will be the day of truth, with no possibility of updates or postponements. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here. 📸 NICOLO CAMPO - AFP or licensors
CNN
23 minutes ago
- CNN
Dozens of Palestinians killed near Gaza aid distribution point, health officials say, in third day of shooting
Palestinians on their way to receive aid from a distribution site in southern Gaza have come under fire for a third consecutive day, with nearly 30 people killed and dozens wounded, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health and Nasser hospital. The ministry said Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians as they made their way to the distribution site in Tel al-Sultan in Rafah early Tuesday. The Israeli military said its forces opened fire multiple times after identifying 'several suspects moving toward them, deviating from the designated access routes.' 'The troops carried out warning fire, and after the suspects failed to retreat, additional shots were directed near a few individual suspects who advanced toward the troops,' the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement, which also said they are looking into reports of casualties. At least 27 people were killed and dozens injured, according to the Palestinian health ministry and the director of Nasser hospital in Gaza. Footage obtained by CNN showed people arriving at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, many on stretchers. The firing occurred west of Rafah in the area surrounding the Al-Alam roundabout, according to paramedics from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, near the same location as shooting incidents the last two days. Early Tuesday morning, a Facebook page which the controversial US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has used to publicize information about the opening of distribution sites said one location would be open in southern Gaza and warned residents to adhere to a designated corridor starting at 5 a.m. 'The IDF will be in the area to secure the safe passage,' the statement said. But approximately one hour later, the page said the site will be closed. CNN has reached out to the GHF for comment. CNN's Eleni Giokos speaks to the Secretary General of Medecins Sans Frontieres about the victims his team treated on the ground in Gaza following a mass casualty incident at an aid distribution site. The incident marks the third day in a row that people have been killed on their way to the GHF distribution point west of Rafah while attempting to secure food as famine conditions worsen in Gaza following an 11-week blockade by Israel. Three Palestinians were shot dead and dozens wounded as they were on their way to access aid from the site on Monday morning, Palestinian and hospital authorities said. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that Israeli forces fired warning shots approximately a kilometer from the aid distribution site and that it was looking into the details of the incident. On Sunday, dozens of Palestinians were shot dead by the Israeli military in the same area, according to Palestinian officials and eyewitnesses. Israel's military denied that its troops fired 'within or near' the aid distribution site. Palestinian officials said 31 people had been killed and scores wounded in Sunday's incident. An Israeli military source acknowledged that Israeli forces fired toward individuals about one kilometer (1093 yards) away before the aid site opened. This is a developing story and will be updated.
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Factbox-What is the Muslim hajj pilgrimage?
DUBAI (Reuters) - Here is a look at the hajj, one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, which starts in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. * The hajj is an annual pilgrimage that millions of Muslims make to Mecca with the intention of performing religious rites as taught by the Prophet Mohammad to his followers 14 centuries ago. * The fifth pillar of Islam, the hajj is mandatory once in a lifetime for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it and is the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity. * The hajj begins in the 12th month of the Islamic year, which is lunar, not solar, meaning the hajj and the fasting month of Ramadan fall at different times of the solar calendar each year. * A quota system for visitors to Mecca was introduced in 1987, agreed by member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, to limit the number allowed by each country to 0.1% of its population. * Stampedes, tent fires and other accidents have caused hundreds of deaths over the past 30 years, forcing the Saudi government to build new infrastructure. In 2011, Saudi Arabia began the biggest expansion yet of the Grand Mosque of Mecca to increase its capacity to 2 million. A new railway will link the holy sites around Mecca. * Eid al-Adha, one of Islam's two main festivals, marks the climax of the annual hajj pilgrimage, when Muslims slaughter animals - to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim, or Abraham, to sacrifice his son on God's command - often distributing meat to the poor.
