Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides special and meticulous care to pilgrims every year, ensuring everything that enhances their safety, security, and the quality of services offered to them from the moment they arrive until their departure after performing Hajj with ease and tranquility, leaving behind words of thanks and gratitude, while government and service entities take pride in serving them.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the efforts of the Saudi Ministry of Interior have been particularly evident in leading the 'No Hajj Without a Permit' campaign, aimed at enabling pilgrims holding Hajj permits to perform Hajj and mobilizing security and humanitarian services for them at land, sea, and air entry points.
The campaign has worked to curb anything that could disrupt pilgrims' Hajj by addressing violators of Hajj regulations and instructions who did not hold permits authorizing them to perform Hajj, or who had obtained visit visas of all types, from the first day of Dhu Al-Qi'dah until the end of the 14th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah. Penalties of up to SAR20,000 have been issued against violators, in addition to the deportation of expatriates among them and a ban on their entry into the Kingdom for up to 10 years.
The security forces of the Ministry of Interior have also extended their reach to apprehend anyone who transports - or attempts to transport - visit visa holders with the intent of bringing them to the Makkah and the holy sites, starting from the first day of Dhu Al-Qi'dah through the end of the 14th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah.
They have also requested the competent court to confiscate any land transport vehicle proven to have been used in such violations, including those owned by the transporter, an accomplice, or a collaborator.
Violators face penalties of imprisonment and fines of up to SAR100,000 for each person transported in violation of Hajj regulations and instructions, in addition to naming and shaming of offenders, deportation of expatriate transporters, and a ban on re-entry into the Kingdom for up to 10 years.
The Ministry of Interior has also continued its media and awareness efforts on Hajj regulations and instructions, as well as the 'No Hajj Without a Permit' campaign, in cooperation with partner government entities, across all official and unofficial platforms, websites, and channels in up to 14 languages.
These efforts have also included text messages sent to mobile phones, road signage, and indoor and outdoor screens, as well as reinforcing the Hajj and security messages through the ministry's official accounts and security sectors on social media platforms, reaching more than 30 million users.
The No Hajj Without a Permit campaign - which is still ongoing - has affirmed its effectiveness and impact on local, Arab, and Islamic public awareness, and has received a positive response highlighting the importance of compliance with Hajj regulations and instructions as one of the key enablers of ensuring the safety and security of pilgrims so they can perform their rituals with ease and tranquility.
It has also emphasized the use of the emergency numbers (911) in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern regions, and (999) in the rest of the Kingdom to report violators.
