Latest news with #MohammedAlBassami
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
International Media Delegations Visit Hajj Command and Control Center in Holy Sites
International media delegations covering this year's Hajj season visited the command and control center in Saudi Arabia's holy sites. The visit provided them with an in-depth look at the integrated security and technical efforts dedicated to managing the Hajj season. They were received by Director General of Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Security Committee Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami. During their visit, the delegations were briefed on the coordination mechanisms that operate under a unified operational umbrella, bringing together various security and technical agencies. This robust system is supported by the latest monitoring, analysis, and live surveillance technologies, all of which significantly enhance the national system's readiness to serve pilgrims. The media representatives also learned about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in supporting efficient crowd management and the proactive dispatch of pilgrims.
Gulf Insider
02-06-2025
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Blocks 260,000 Unauthorised Pilgrims From Entering Mecca
More than 260,000 people without Hajj permits have been turned away from entering Mecca, as part of the Kingdom's large-scale security crackdown to ensure a safe and regulated pilgrimage season. Speaking at a joint press conference of Hajj security commanders, Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Bassami, Director of Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Security Committee, confirmed that a total of 269,000 unregistered pilgrims were prevented from reaching the holy city of Mecca. Security authorities arrested 1,239 people attempting to transport unauthorised pilgrims and imposed penalties on more than 75,000 violators of Hajj regulations. They also impounded over 5,000 vehicles and turned back 110,000 others at checkpoints for attempting to carry illegal pilgrims. More than 415 fake Hajj offices were shut down, and permanent checkpoints at Mecca's entry points remain active to intercept further violations. Al Bassami highlighted the use of artificial intelligence to support enforcement efforts and ensure the integrity of the pilgrimage. 'Security personnel will remain vigilant against anyone seeking to violate Hajj regulations,' he said. Meanwhile, Major General Dr Saleh Saad Al Murabba, Director General of Passports, revealed that over 1.47 million international pilgrims have arrived so far, with the Mecca Route Initiative expanding to eight countries and 12 embarkation points. The initiative streamlines immigration procedures at departure airports, using advanced technologies and multilingual staff. Field teams are also deployed with mobile equipment to assist pilgrims and identify unregistered individuals. Maj. Gen Al Murabba urged pilgrims to depart promptly after completing Hajj to avoid legal consequences, assuring that preparations are in place to facilitate smooth exits. The Ministry of Interior has reiterated its full readiness to deal firmly with any threats to Hajj security. The State Security Presidency confirmed the implementation of robust crowd management plans, particularly at the Jamarat facility, while Special Emergency Forces are conducting field missions to protect pilgrims and prevent infiltration.
Arab News
02-06-2025
- General
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia outlines security strategies for Hajj
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior outlined a comprehensive security and organizational strategy to ensure an incident-free 2025 Hajj season. The ministry held a press conference with Hajj security force commanders on Sunday at the Unified Security Operations Center. Briefing attendees included key officials such as Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, the director of public security, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Omari, commander of special emergency forces at the presidency of state security, Maj. Gen. Hamoud Al-Faraj, director-general of civil defense, and Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Marba, the acting director-general of the general directorate of passports. Al-Bassami affirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to prepare a safe, secure, and organized environment for pilgrims. He said the efforts aligned with the directives of the minister of interior and chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, who has endorsed extensive security and organizational plans for the 2025 Hajj season. These plans, he said, encompass all facets of security, public order, crowd management, traffic flow, and emergency response, implemented through an integrated framework that spans the pilgrims' entire journey, from arrival to departure. Al-Bassami said that any attempts to disrupt security or violate regulations would be met with strict and uncompromising action. He further emphasized the readiness of the Grand Mosque and the holy sites to manage large crowds, aiming to alleviate congestion and maintain safe capacities on all roads and holy sites. Seasonal traffic management plans are also in effect for routes leading to Makkah and Madinah, as well as central area entrances, to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims. The General Directorate of Public Security reported significant enforcement actions. Authorities seized 252 fake Hajj campaigns and apprehended 1,239 transporters violating Hajj regulations. Additionally, 109,632 unauthorized vehicles were turned back, as were 269,678 people not residing in Makkah, 75,943 people without Hajj permits, and 11,610 people who disobeyed residency, labor and border security regulations. Furthermore, the number of visit visa holders who arrived for the purpose of Hajj reached 205,713. Al-Omari reiterated the forces' commitment to ensuring protection and maintaining order during the Hajj season. He detailed the implementation of precise field plans, focusing on preventing infiltrators and unauthorized individuals from accessing the holy sites. The plans include managing and organizing crowd movement at the Jamarat stoning facility and the southern courtyard of the Grand Mosque to ensure smooth flow and pilgrim safety. In a notable development, Al-Faraj announced the first use of the Falcon drone for firefighting and rescue operations, a new addition to the General Directorate of Civil Defense's Hajj operations this year. He emphasized the sector's readiness to implement its approved plan in service of the pilgrims. Al-Marba outlined the directorate's integrated plan within the Ministry of Interior's security framework. This plan is built upon four pillars: ensuring full readiness to receive pilgrims at air, land, and sea ports, including those under the Makkah Route Initiative; enforcing regulations against illegal pilgrim transporters through seasonal administrative committees at Makkah's entrances; providing support to security and service agencies in the holy sites through field presence; and organizing and overseeing the departure of pilgrims post-Hajj.
Zawya
02-06-2025
- General
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia drives 205,000 unauthorized pilgrims out of Makkah and busts 415 fake Haj offices
MAKKAH — Director of Saudi Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Security Committee Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami revealed that Public Security teams have driven out more than 205,000 people without Hajj permits from Makkah. Addressing a joint press conference of the Hajj security commanders in Makkah on Sunday, he said that the security forces have turned back more than 269,000 people without Hajj permits from entering Makkah. "The Public Security officials have arrested 1,239 people who attempted to transport illegal pilgrims, and imposed penalties on more than 75,000 violators of Hajj regulations. The security teams also busted more than 415 fake Hajj offices," he said while revealing the adoption of punitive measures to deal with violators during the Hajj season. During the press conference, the Hajj security commanders reviewed the security and organizational plans for this year's Hajj season, Al-Bassami said that Saudi Public Security was able to employ artificial intelligence to boost its security plans to crack down on violators of Hajj regulations. He stressed that security personnel will be on the lookout for anyone who violates the Hajj regulations. Al-Bassami said that Public Security has turned back 110,000 vehicles at the entry points to Makkah for transporting unauthorized pilgrims. It also impounded more than 5,000 vehicles that were planning to transport pilgrims without permits. Saudi Public Security has activated permanent security checkpoints at the entrances to Makkah to apprehend violators. Director General of Passports Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Murabba revealed that the number of pilgrims arriving from abroad has exceeded 1.47 million. The number of countries benefiting from the Makkah Route Initiative has increased to eight countries with 12 embarkation points. Al-Murabba said that the Passports Department has worked to facilitate procedures for pilgrims in the countries benefiting from the Makkah Route Initiative, indicating that they have equipped ports with the latest technology and provided multilingual staff to serve pilgrims. "We have field teams equipped with mobile bags that provide services at all locations and help identify unidentified persons," he said. Al-Murabba urged the pilgrims to depart quickly after the Hajj season ends to avoid exposing themselves to legal accountability. He revealed that the General Directorate of Passports has made the preparations to ensure the departure of the pilgrims after performing the rituals of Hajj. The Ministry of Interior affirmed its ability to deal firmly and effectively with anything that might undermine Hajj security. The State Security Presidency revealed the availability of robust security plans to manage crowds at the Jamarat facility during Hajj. "Pilgrims are in our eyes, and violators are in our grasp," the ministry said adding that it is providing protection to maintain order at vital Hajj sites. The ministry stated that Special Emergency Forces will carry out field missions to ensure the safety of pilgrims and prevent infiltrators and violators from accessing the holy sites without permission. On Saturday, Interior Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud reviewed the readiness of Hajj security forces to carry out their field missions to maintain the security and safety of pilgrims at the annual ceremony organized by the security forces participating in this year's Hajj. "Under the guidance of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, I witnessed today the preparations of the Hajj Security Forces. I am proud of the complete readiness and advanced capabilities I saw, and I ask God to grant us all success in fulfilling our leadership's aspirations for a safe and successful Hajj on all levels," he said. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
