25 arrested for violating Hajj regulations

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has said that Hajj security forces have apprehended 25 individuals at the entrances to Makkah for violating Hajj regulations and instructions, including performing rituals without a permit. The individuals include seven expatriates and 18 citizens, who were transporting 103 violators.

The seasonal administrative committees of the General Directorate of Passports issued 24 administrative decisions against the offenders. These resulted in a prison sentence of 15 days for each transporter; a financial fine of SR10,000 ($2,666) for each violator transported; public shaming; the deportation of expatriate transporters with a ban on re-entry into the Kingdom for a legally specified period after serving the sentence; and the confiscation of two vehicles used in transportation.

The ministry urged all citizens and expatriates to abide by and comply with Hajj regulations and instructions to ensure that pilgrims can perform their rituals in security, safety and comfort.

Earlier, Djibouti’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama supported the regulations taken by the Saudi government.

He posted on X: “As the ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti and dean of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I, along with the entire diplomatic community, fully support the security, regulatory, and health measures implemented by the Kingdom’s government. These efforts are designed to ensure that pilgrims can perform their pilgrimages in safety and security.

https://x.com/dya_bamakhrama/status/1801681199322022306

“These measures aim to manage the movement of over 2 million pilgrims residing in and traveling through the holy sites simultaneously. To ensure order and maintain the sanctity of the place, it is necessary to organize the pilgrimage by granting permits to control the Hajj process, thereby ensuring the comfort and reassurance of the pilgrims.

“We commend all these significant measures and services provided by the Kingdom’s government, from the moment the pilgrims arrive and throughout their stay.

“We urge everyone to adhere to these regulations and follow them diligently. As the Almighty says, Hajj is (during) well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein (by entering the state of ihram), there is (to be for him) no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing.

“Therefore, anyone who violates this divine rule by turning Hajj into a platform for debate and raising slogans contrary to God’s command is acting against the values and international agreements that countries have committed to in the organization of Hajj.

“Such actions threaten the security, comfort, and peace of all pilgrims. We urge everyone to adhere to the regulations.

“Finally, we ask God Almighty to accept everyone’s good deeds.”