Penalty for performing Hajj without a permit: Public security imposes strict fines

The Saudi General Directorate of Public Security announced strict and decisive measures to ensure the smooth running of the Hajj season, warning against attempting to perform the pilgrimage through unauthorized means. These measures reflect the Saudi leadership's commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for pilgrims, and Hajj without a permit include deterrent fines and strict administrative penalties for those who

Details of the fine and penalty for performing Hajj without a permit

Public Security has confirmed that a fine of up to 20,000 Saudi Riyals will be imposed on anyone caught performing or attempting to perform Hajj without the required official permit. These measures apply not only to citizens and residents but also to holders of all types of visit visas. These individuals are prohibited from entering the city of Mecca and the Holy Sites, or remaining within the designated geographical area, from 1 Dhul-Qa'dah 1447 AH to 14 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH.

Geographical scope of application of sanctions

Public Security clarified that the geographical area where entry is prohibited for unauthorized persons includes:

• The city of Mecca and its official and unofficial entrances.
• The central area surrounding the Grand Mosque.
• The holy sites (Mina, Muzdalifah, Arafat).
• Haramain train station in Al-Rusaifah district.
• Security checkpoints and screening centers, in addition to temporary security checkpoints.

Deportation and ban from entering the Kingdom

In a move aimed at completely eradicating the phenomenon of irregular Hajj, the Public Security Directorate indicated that additional penalties will be applied to infiltrators among residents and those violating residency and labor regulations. These penalties include immediate deportation to their countries of origin, in addition to a ban on entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for up to 10 years, underscoring the authorities' seriousness in implementing deterrent measures.

The historical context of organizing the Hajj pilgrimage

Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made tremendous efforts to manage the millions of pilgrims who flock annually to perform the fifth pillar of Islam. With the increasing number of Muslims and the ease of transportation in the modern era, it has become essential to establish regulations that limit the number of pilgrims to the capacity of the holy sites. The Hajj permit system emerged as a strategic solution to prevent overcrowding and congestion, and to avoid accidents that could result from massive crowds, thus ensuring the safety and security of the pilgrims.

The importance of compliance with permits and its regional and international impact

The strict enforcement of regulations to prevent irregular Hajj pilgrimages is of paramount importance on several levels. Locally, it helps alleviate the burden on the health, security, and service sectors, allowing them to provide high-quality services to legitimate pilgrims. Regionally and internationally, this regulation ensures the equitable distribution of quotas among Islamic countries and reflects a positive and bright image of the Kingdom's exceptional ability to manage the world's largest human gatherings efficiently and effectively.

A call for cooperation and reporting of violators

In closing, the Public Security Directorate urged all citizens, residents, and visitors to fully comply with Hajj regulations and instructions. It called for cooperation with security authorities by reporting any violations or attempts to circumvent the regulations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions, or 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.