Hajj 2024: 25 Arrested for Transporting Pilgrims Without A Hajj Visa

25 individuals were arrested on June 15th, Saturday, for the transport of people who did not possess permits for the Hajj pilgrimage.

The six citizens and two residents were intercepted by Hajj security forces positioned at entrances to the holy city of Mecca for transporting a group of 103 people who wished to illegally perform Hajj.

The violators face 15 days of imprisonment and a fine of SAD 10,000 ($2,665) for each individual they illegally transported.

The vehicles used to transport the illegal pilgrims were also confiscated.

 
2023 Guidelines

In 2023, the Saudi General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) issued a warning that anyone caught transporting pilgrims without permits would potentially be given up to six months in prison and SAR 50,000 in fines.

If the vehicle used for the pilgrims’ illegal transportation is owned by the transporter or an accomplice, it would be seized by the government.

Should the transporter be an expatriate, he or she will face deportation following his or her imprisonment and the settlement of the fine.

Apart from this, the transporter will also be barred from entering Saudi Arabia.

Those caught illegally transporting pilgrims without a permit would be transferred from field control authorities to seasonal committees stationed at entrances to Mecca.

The committee will be responsible for reviewing the violations and coming up with a decision concerning the penalties to be given.

If the violators transported more than one illegal pilgrim, then the penalties may be doubled.

 
Hajj 2024: Safety and security measures

During a press conference in June 2024, Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub, the spokesperson of the Saudi Ministry of Interior, said that security personnel had been deployed to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles leading to Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina.

These security forces would also assist pedestrian pilgrims walking on designated roads from Muzdalifah to Mina, and those linking Mina to the Grand Mosque and the Jamarat facility, on top of managing crowds at the Grand Mosque performing Tawaf.

Added Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Aali, spokesman of the Ministry of Health, “More than 112,000 pilgrims have benefited from various integrated medical services and healthcare provided by the ministry to the guests of God, from the first day of Dhul Qada until the day of Arafat, and these services varied between medical and specialized clinics, pharmacies, dialysis centers, intensive care rooms, and isolation units,”
Saudi nationals and residents were encouraged to strictly abide by Hajj rules for the safety and security of pilgrims.

 
Obtaining a Hajj permit is mandatory

In 2024, penalties would be imposed on any individual caught without a Hajj permit in the vicinities of Mecca, the Central Haram area, Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, the Haramain train station in Rusayfah, security control centers, Hajj grouping centers, as well as temporary security control centers.

The violators would also be slapped with a SAR 10,000 fine.

This includes Saudi nationals, expatriates, and visitors who do not have a Hajj permit.

Earlier, in May 2024, Saudi authorities released an advisory stating that any type of Saudi visit visa would not permit Hajj pilgrims to enter or stay in Mecca.

The said rule would be in effect from May 23 to June 21, 2024.

These dates coincide with the 15th of Dhu al-Qadah (the 11th month of Islam), 1445, to the 15th of Dhul Hijjah (the month of Hajj and Eid ul Adha).

Pilgrims must first secure a Hajj permit to legally perform the pilgrimage.

Photo by Haidan on Unsplash