The Ghanaian Minaret

RIYADH — The Ministry of Interior has announced a SR10,000 fine for persons who enter Makkah without a Hajj permit from Dhul Qada 25, 1445, to Dhul Hijjah 14, 1445, which corresponds to June 2, 2024, to June 20.

The ministry confirmed that a fine will be extended to violators, including Saudi citizens, expatriates, and visitors caught within specific geographical areas without a Hajj permit.

These areas include the holy city of Makkah, the Central Haram Area, the Holy Sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, the Haramain train station in Rusayfah, security control centres, Hajj grouping centres, and temporary security control centres. 

Expatriates among the violators will be deported to their country, and a ban on reentering the Kingdom will be imposed on them in accordance with the periods specified by law.

The Ministry of Interior stressed that the fines will be doubled in the event of a repeat violation. It underlined the need to adhere to Hajj regulations and instructions so that the pilgrims can perform their rituals with ease and comfort.

The ministry stated earlier that the penalty for anyone caught transporting violators of Hajj regulations and instructions is imprisonment for a period of up to six months and a maximum fine of SR50,000.

The penalties also include demanding confiscation of the vehicle used to transport the violators through a judicial ruling and deportation of the violating transporter if he is an expatriate.

After serving the jail term and paying a fine, the violating expatriate would be banned from reentering the Kingdom according to the periods specified by law. 

Fines will be increased in accordance with the number of violators who were provided with transportation.

The ministry urged the public to report the violators by contacting the toll-free numbers 911 in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province and 999 in the rest of the Saudi regions.

Source: Saudi Gazette