No Hajj without a Permit Campaign: Border Guard Efforts in Jeddah for the Hajj Season
The “No Hajj Without a Permit” exhibition kicks off in Jeddah
As part of intensive preparations for the Hajj season, the General Directorate of Border Guards held a comprehensive awareness exhibition on Saturday under the slogan “No Hajj Without a Permit.” The exhibition, which runs from May 16 to 20 in Jeddah, Makkah Province, aims to raise public awareness of the importance of full compliance with Hajj regulations and instructions for the year 1447 AH. This event is part of a series of security and awareness initiatives launched by the Saudi Ministry of Interior to ensure a safe and smooth Hajj season for all pilgrims, and to emphasize the complete readiness of the security sectors.
The historical context of Hajj organization and the importance of permits
Historically, since its founding, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on serving the Two Holy Mosques and ensuring the safety of their visitors. With the increasing number of Muslims from around the world wishing to perform Hajj, the need arose to regulate these numbers in accordance with the capacity of the holy sites. From this emerged the concept of mandatory Hajj permits as a crucial organizational and security measure aimed at preventing overcrowding and ensuring the provision of the best possible health and logistical services for pilgrims. Adherence to the permit is not merely a routine procedure, but a fundamental pillar upon which crowd management plans rely to prevent any incidents or crises that might disrupt this great ritual.
Border Guard efforts and strict penalties for violators
Through its pavilion at the exhibition, the Border Guard showcases its exceptional and ongoing efforts to secure land and sea borders, preventing infiltration or illegal entry into the Holy Sites. It also clearly highlights the strict penalties imposed on those who violate Hajj regulations and instructions. These penalties include those caught attempting to perform the pilgrimage without an official permit, as well as the application of the maximum legal penalties against anyone who transports, shelters, or assists violators in any way. These decisive measures demonstrate the integrated efforts of all security agencies in ensuring the success of the campaign and enforcing the rule of law.
Local and international impact of compliance with Hajj regulations
The success of these awareness and security campaigns has a significant impact at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, meticulous organization contributes to protecting infrastructure, facilitating traffic flow, and providing a healthy and safe environment for citizens and residents. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom's success in managing millions of pilgrims reflects a shining example of Saudi Arabia's exceptional crowd management capabilities. It also sends a reassuring message to the world that their pilgrims are in safe hands, and that the measures taken are primarily aimed at protecting their lives and ensuring their safe return home.
A call for cooperation and reporting of violations
At the conclusion of its awareness campaign, the Saudi Ministry of Interior reiterated its urgent appeal to all citizens and residents to fully comply with the regulations governing this year's Hajj season (1447 AH). It emphasized the importance of joint cooperation with the relevant authorities to achieve the highest standards of security and safety for the pilgrims. The Ministry also urged everyone to report any violations of the regulations or fraudulent Hajj campaigns by calling the unified number (911) in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or (999) in the rest of the Kingdom, stressing that Hajj security is a shared religious and national responsibility.
