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Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
Saudi Arabia Bans Over 250,000 People From Mecca During Hajj Pilgrimage
Saudi Arabia has barred more than 269,000 people without permits for the annual Hajj pilgrimage from entering Mecca this week, authorities said, as the world's largest annual gathering of people has officially begun. Saudi Arabia has reinforced strict bans for this year's pilgrimage season in efforts to curb overcrowding in Mecca, which has been the scene of deadly crushes during Hajj in the past. In May, the kingdom clamped down on visa numbers, banning certain types of visas for travelers from 14 countries, mostly Arab nations. Saudi officials said 1.5 million foreign pilgrims are taking part in the Mecca pilgrimage, in addition to an unspecified number of local Muslims. The Ministry of Interior warned against entering Mecca without a specific Hajj permit using an Arabic hashtag on social media which translates into "No Hajj without permit." Violators face a fine up to SAR 20,000 (roughly $5,300), the ministry said Wednesday on its X account. Months ago, the government warned Mecca visitors of staying beyond authorized deadlines. Last year, authorities barred nearly 300,000 unregistered pilgrims. Overcrowding is a significant issue during Hajj with past incidents involving hundreds of deaths by stampedes or due to excessive heat. The kingdom has also banned children under 12 from attending, according to The Associated Press. The government has spent billions of dollars upgrading and expanding Hajj infrastructure and crowd control technology as a counter measure. Foreign pilgrims may spend thousands of dollars trying to complete the Hajj so being unable to do so is a major setback. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and followers are expected to make a pilgrimage if they can, but those who are unable to do so are religiously exempt. Director-general of Public Security, Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Bassami, said on Sunday: "More than 269,678 residents were asked to return from the entrances of Mecca because they did not have permits for Hajj." Colonel Talal bin Shalhoub, Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry spokesperson for Hajj operations, told a press conference in Arabic: "Those who facilitate the transport of pilgrims without permits will face penalties, including up to six months in prison and a fine up to 50,000 SAR, confiscation of the used vehicle, deportation and a ban from entering the country." Today, pilgrims are performing the act of standing at Mount Arafat-the most essential element of Hajj-as Muslims around the world who are not performing Hajj commonly observe a voluntary fast. Related Articles Images Show U.S. Patriot Missiles Deployed for Muslim Hajj PilgrimageImages Show Power Plant Nears Completion at World's Biggest Construction SiteIsrael Fears Arms Race in Fight to Remain Middle East's Only Nuclear PowerTrump Business Booms Abroad Amid Ethics Questions 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Saudi Gazette
01-05-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Interior Ministry confirms slapping penalties on violators of Hajj permit regulations
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Ministry of Interior Spokesman Col. Talal bin Shalhoub confirmed that penalties are now being imposed against those who are caught while entering or staying in Makkah and the holy sites to perform Hajj without a permit after arriving in the Kingdom on a visit visa. Addressing the Digital Communication Conference in Jeddah, he stated that such violators will face a maximum fine of SR20000. Col. Talal said that anyone facilitating these violations — such as applying for visas, transporting, sheltering, concealing, or assisting violators will face a fine of up to SR100000. Fines are applied per individual violation. Expatriates or overstayers caught attempting Hajj without a permit will be deported and banned from the Kingdom for 10 years, he noted. The spokesman warned against fraudulent Hajj campaigns offering services like accommodation, transport, fake Hajj services, sacrificial animals, or fake bracelets. The Ministry of Interior announced earlier imposition of a penalty of up to SR20,000 for any individual caught performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit during the period between April 29 and Dhul Hijjah 14. This includes visit visa holders trying to enter or remain within the geographical area of Makkah, the holy sites, the Central Haram Area, the Haramain High-Speed Railway station in Al-Rusayfah district, and all security and grouping centers. The ministry stated that residents and overstayers attempting to perform Hajj unlawfully will be deported to their home countries and prohibited from re-entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a period of 10 years. Emphasizing adherence to Hajj and Umrah regulations, it urged pilgrims to comply and report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Asharq Al-Awsat
01-05-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Interior Ministry Enforces Penalties for Violating Hajj Permit Rules
Colonel Talal bin Shalhoub, Spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Interior, announced that penalties are now being implemented against those performing Hajj, entering, or staying in Makkah and the holy sites without a permit. He made the remarks during a session at the Digital Communication Conference. The Spokesman stated that anyone caught performing Hajj without a permit, or entering or staying in Makkah or the holy sites on a visit visa, faces a fine of up to SAR20000, the Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday. He added that anyone facilitating these violations—such as applying for visas, transporting, sheltering, concealing, or otherwise assisting violators—faces a fine of up to SAR100000. Fines are applied per individual violation. Residents or overstayers caught attempting to perform Hajj without a permit will be deported and banned from the Kingdom for 10 years, he noted. Bin Shalhoub also warned against fraudulent Hajj schemes that falsely promise services such as accommodation, transport, surrogate Hajj services, sacrificial animals, or fake bracelets. He also highlighted the ongoing "Makkah Route" initiative, part of the Pilgrim Experience Program under Saudi Vision 2030, operating at 11 airports in 7 countries. Launched in 1438 AH (2017 AD), the initiative has served 940,657 pilgrims.
