No permit, no haj: Saudi intensifies crackdown
Published: 06:05 PM,May 30,2025 | EDITED : 10:05 PM,May 30,2025
No permit, no haj: Saudi intensifies crackdown
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is ramping up a crackdown on unregistered worshippers at next week's haj pilgrimage, a year after hundreds perished in scorching conditions.
Regular raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts are aimed at rooting out unauthorised visitors hoping to mingle among the crowds in and around the holy city of Mecca.
The simple message, 'No haj without a permit', is being blared out in a relentless campaign promoted nationwide at shopping centres, on billboards and across media platforms.
Last year, 1,301 pilgrims, most of them unregistered and lacking access to air-conditioned tents and buses, died as temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.2 degrees Fahrenheit).
'Since the end of last season, we realised the biggest challenge is preventing unauthorised pilgrims from undermining the success of the haj season,' said one official helping organise the haj, requesting anonymity.
The haj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be completed by all Muslims with the means at least once.
Yet official permits are allocated to countries through a quota system and distributed to individuals via a lottery.
Even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs make the irregular route — which costs thousands of dollars less — more attractive.
Saudi officials said 83 per cent of those who died last year did not have official haj permits. Temperatures of up to 44 °C (111 °F) are forecast next week.
Security forces have also raided hundreds of apartments in search of people hiding out in the area.
An Egyptian engineer living in Mecca, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said his building was raided multiple times in recent weeks.
'Police officers in uniform came to my home twice and asked to see my wife's and my residency permits,' he said.
'Almost everywhere, we're being asked to show residency or work permits in Mecca. The security presence is unprecedented.'
Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have used family and tourist visas, instead of the designated haj visa, to enter the country each year.
Meanwhile, fines for an illicit haj have doubled to 20,000 Saudi riyals ($5,333), with violators facing a 10-year ban from the country.
Those found to be harbouring and helping unauthorised pilgrims can be fined up to 100,000 riyals ($26,666).
'All of this is aimed at ensuring that Mecca is reserved exclusively for authorised pilgrims during the Haj season,' the official added. — AFP
Regular raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts are aimed at rooting out unauthorised visitors hoping to mingle among the crowds in and around the holy city of Mecca.
The simple message, 'No haj without a permit', is being blared out in a relentless campaign promoted nationwide at shopping centres, on billboards and across media platforms.
Last year, 1,301 pilgrims, most of them unregistered and lacking access to air-conditioned tents and buses, died as temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.2 degrees Fahrenheit).
'Since the end of last season, we realised the biggest challenge is preventing unauthorised pilgrims from undermining the success of the haj season,' said one official helping organise the haj, requesting anonymity.
The haj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be completed by all Muslims with the means at least once.
Yet official permits are allocated to countries through a quota system and distributed to individuals via a lottery.
Even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs make the irregular route — which costs thousands of dollars less — more attractive.
Saudi officials said 83 per cent of those who died last year did not have official haj permits. Temperatures of up to 44 °C (111 °F) are forecast next week.
Security forces have also raided hundreds of apartments in search of people hiding out in the area.
An Egyptian engineer living in Mecca, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said his building was raided multiple times in recent weeks.
'Police officers in uniform came to my home twice and asked to see my wife's and my residency permits,' he said.
'Almost everywhere, we're being asked to show residency or work permits in Mecca. The security presence is unprecedented.'
Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have used family and tourist visas, instead of the designated haj visa, to enter the country each year.
Meanwhile, fines for an illicit haj have doubled to 20,000 Saudi riyals ($5,333), with violators facing a 10-year ban from the country.
Those found to be harbouring and helping unauthorised pilgrims can be fined up to 100,000 riyals ($26,666).
'All of this is aimed at ensuring that Mecca is reserved exclusively for authorised pilgrims during the Haj season,' the official added. — AFP