Politicization of Haj ‘won’t be tolerated’

JEDDAH: The Kingdom has reiterated that attempts to politicize Haj will not be tolerated and that demonstrations will be prevented to ensure peace during the pilgrimage.
Col. Othman Al-Muhraj, director for public security, said that carrying out processions from any of the Haj sites is strictly prohibited.
“Anybody trying to create trouble will not be able to achieve their goals during Haj,” he said during a press conference, following the preparatory meeting of the Directorate General of the Public Security in Jeddah.
Al-Muhraj said that adequate security arrangements have been made for various stages of Haj to make it ideal.
“I want to tell pilgrims that we have received orders from our leadership and our country to serve you. We, as security personnel, are here to serve you,” he said.
Asked about attempts by Iran to politicize Haj, he said the leadership of the Kingdom has prohibited processions from any of the Haj sites.
“There are clear guidelines from the leadership to prevent it in any form. Troublemakers will not be able to achieve their goals as Haj is for worship and not for disturbances or for any act rejected by Islam.”
Meanwhile, a large numbers of pilgrims have already arrived and arrangements have been made at all sites for various stages of Haj.
The Ministry of Haj and Umrah has adopted a new approach for the Haj program, to be implemented in coordination with relevant authorities to make the pilgrimage smooth, comfortable and peaceful.
An executive plan, which would be monitored electronically, is in place. Surveillance cameras have been installed to track the movement of crowds, analyze the ground situation and record violations through mobile applications and technologies.