Five people were arrested for violating Hajj regulations and attempting to enter Mecca without a permit

As part of the ongoing efforts by Saudi authorities to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims performing Hajj, Hajj security forces announced the arrest of five Afghan residents attempting to enter the holy city of Mecca illegally to perform Hajj without the required permits. The violators, who were traveling on foot in a desert area, were apprehended, and the standard procedures for such cases were implemented.

General context for organizing Hajj

This incident comes amidst a broad national campaign under the slogan “No Hajj Without a Permit,” which aims to organize and manage the millions of pilgrims who flock to Mecca annually. Saudi Arabia enforces the permit system to ensure that the holy sites do not exceed their capacity and to provide the best possible health, security, and logistical services for authorized pilgrims. Historically, crowd management has been a major challenge, and with the increasing number of Muslims worldwide wishing to perform the pilgrimage, precise organization through permits has become essential to prevent stampedes and ensure the smooth flow of movement between the holy sites.

The importance and impact of the procedures

The implementation of these strict regulations is of paramount importance on several levels. Locally, the procedure ensures the safety of pilgrims and prevents overcrowding in camps and facilities, thus enabling the provision of high-quality services. It also protects the rights of registered pilgrims who have adhered to official procedures and sometimes waited for years. Internationally, the Kingdom's successful organization of the Hajj season reinforces its position as a leader of the Islamic world and underscores its ability to manage one of the world's largest human gatherings efficiently and effectively. Preventing unregistered Hajj also helps combat fraudulent campaigns that exploit vulnerable individuals and expose them to serious security and health risks.

Call for compliance and reporting

Public Security reiterated its call to all citizens and residents to fully comply with Hajj regulations and instructions, emphasizing that violators will be subject to severe penalties, including fines, deportation, and a ban from entering the Kingdom. It also urged everyone to cooperate and report any violations or fraudulent Hajj campaigns by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 in the rest of the Kingdom, in order to contribute to the success of the Hajj season and maintain the safety and security of the pilgrims.