Saudi Arabia has barred more than 269,000 people without permits for the annual Hajj pilgrimage from entering Mecca this week, authorities said, as the world’s largest annual gathering of people has officially begun.
Why It Matters
Saudi Arabia has reinforced strict bans for this year’s pilgrimage season in efforts to curb overcrowding in Mecca, which has been the scene of deadly crushes during Hajj in the past. In May, the kingdom clamped down on visa numbers, banning certain types of visas for travelers from 14 countries, mostly Arab nations.
What To Know
Saudi officials said 1.5 million foreign pilgrims are taking part in the Mecca pilgrimage, in addition to an unspecified number of local Muslims.
The Ministry of Interior warned against entering Mecca without a specific Hajj permit using an Arabic hashtag on social media which translates into “No Hajj without permit.” Violators face a fine up to SAR 20,000 (roughly $5,300), the ministry said Wednesday on its X account.
Months ago, the government warned Mecca visitors of staying beyond authorized deadlines. Last year, authorities barred nearly 300,000 unregistered pilgrims.
Overcrowding is a significant issue during Hajj with past incidents involving hundreds of deaths by stampedes or due to excessive heat. The kingdom has also banned children under 12 from attending, according to The Associated Press.
The government has spent billions of dollars upgrading and expanding Hajj infrastructure and crowd control technology as a counter measure.
Foreign pilgrims may spend thousands of dollars trying to complete the Hajj so being unable to do so is a major setback. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and followers are expected to make a pilgrimage if they can, but those who are unable to do so are religiously exempt.
What People Are Saying
Director-general of Public Security, Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Bassami, said on Sunday: “More than 269,678 residents were asked to return from the entrances of Mecca because they did not have permits for Hajj.”
Colonel Talal bin Shalhoub, Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry spokesperson for Hajj operations, told a press conference in Arabic: “Those who facilitate the transport of pilgrims without permits will face penalties, including up to six months in prison and a fine up to 50,000 SAR, confiscation of the used vehicle, deportation and a ban from entering the country.”
What Happens Next
Today, pilgrims are performing the act of standing at Mount Arafat—the most essential element of Hajj—as Muslims around the world who are not performing Hajj commonly observe a voluntary fast.
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