Passports during Hajj: 1.5 million pilgrims and the Makkah Route Initiative serves 30%
During a press conference for Hajj security forces leaders, Major General Dr. Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba, Commander of the Passport Forces for Hajj, affirmed that the General Directorate of Passports has dedicated all its human and technological resources to serving the pilgrims. These efforts stem from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's longstanding and unwavering commitment to facilitating the Hajj pilgrimage, an approach that has been further strengthened under the umbrella of Saudi Vision 2030 and the "Serving the Guests of God" program, which aims to bring about a qualitative leap in the pilgrim experience from the moment they depart their home country until their safe return.
Historical context and strategic importance
For decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors at the forefront of its priorities. With the increasing number of Muslims worldwide, the regional and international importance of crowd management and streamlined procedures becomes ever more apparent. The Kingdom's success in hosting millions of pilgrims annually reflects its exceptional organizational and security capabilities, reinforcing its position as the heart of the Islamic world and underscoring its leadership in managing massive events with the highest standards of safety and security.
Latest technologies to facilitate the entry of pilgrims
Major General Al-Murabba' explained that all international border crossings, including those associated with the "Makkah Route" initiative, have been reinforced with qualified personnel who speak multiple languages to provide support and assistance. To ensure smooth traffic flow, these locations have been equipped with the latest technology, including:
- Mobile counters and tablets.
- Advanced tampering and forgery detection devices.
- Smart electronic gates.
He pointed out that these technologies have contributed significantly to speeding up the completion of passenger procedures, stressing the existence of continuous cooperation with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority “SDAIA” to develop technical systems, test their readiness, and implement technical hypotheses to ensure the continuity of work without interruption.
The expansion of the "Makkah Route" initiative and its international impact
In a move reflecting the positive international impact of the Kingdom's efforts, Major General Al-Murabba revealed the significant expansion of the "Makkah Route" initiative, overseen by the Ministry of Interior. The number of participating countries has increased to 10, with 17 stations and airports outside the Kingdom serving the community. This year, approximately 30% of pilgrims arriving from abroad used this initiative, meaning they completed their entry procedures at their home airports and proceeded directly to their accommodations upon arrival.
Arrival statistics and security integration
The commander of the passport forces announced the near completion of the phase of pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom, explaining that the total number of arrivals reached 1.5 million pilgrims. The breakdown of these numbers is as follows:
- 1.4 million pilgrims via air ports.
- 45,000 pilgrims crossed through land border crossings.
- More than 6,000 pilgrims crossed through the sea ports.
On the security front, the General Directorate of Passports provides support to all security and service agencies through mobile field teams that verify the identities of pilgrims in hospitals and accommodation centers. It also participates in planning committees and provides demographic data to support decision-making.
Enforcing regulations and imposing strict penalties on violators
To ensure the safety and security of pilgrims locally, Major General Al-Murabba' stressed the strict enforcement of regulations against unlicensed transporters. Quasi-judicial administrative committees operate at four main entrances to Mecca (Al-Tan'im, Al-Bahita, Al-Shumaisi, and Al-Karr) to issue immediate rulings. Penalties can reach:
- A fine of up to 50,000 riyals will be imposed for each pilgrim who is transported.
- Imprisonment for up to six months.
- The carrier will be deported if he is a foreigner and prevented from entering the Kingdom.
- Confiscating the means of transport by court order and publicly shaming the violators.
Major General Al-Murabba concluded his remarks by calling for full compliance with security instructions and requirements, stressing that all these organizational efforts are in the interest of the pilgrims to ensure that they perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind.
