RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Security has began imposing penalties on pilgrims violating Hajj regulations and instructions by undertaking a pilgrimage without a permit.
The areas covered by the no-permit, no-Hajj policy include the city of Makkah, the central area, the holy sites, the Haramain train station, security checkpoints, screening centers and temporary security checkpoints, according to a report from state news agency SPA.
The rule will be in effect until June 20, 2024.
Any individual – whether citizens, residents, or visitors – found violating Hajj regulations would be fined 10,000 Saudi riyals ($2,666), and non-citizens would be deported to their home countries and banned from re-entering the Kingdom for a certain period as specified by laws.
The Public Security also said that repeat offenders would have their fines doubled, as the agency stressed the importance of adhering to Hajj regulations and instructions to ensure that the pilgrims can perform their rituals safely and peacefully.
Furthermore, any individual caught transporting Hajj violators without a permit faces imprisonment for up to 6 months and a fine of up to 50,000 riyals (13,328), and the vehicle used for transportation would be confiscated.
If the violator is a resident, he will be deported after serving the sentence and barred from re-entering the Kingdom for a specified period, in accordance with the law, Public Security said.
The fines would be multiplied according to the number of transported violators, the agency added.
To report such violations, contact (911) in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or (999) in other regions of the Kingdom.
