‘No Haj Without A Permit’ Campaign Drives Awareness Across Arab, Islamic Communities

RIYADH, May 18 (Bernama-SPA) --  Saudi Arabia provides special and meticulous care to pilgrims 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 Haj with ease and tranquillity, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. 

Efforts of Saudi’s Ministry of Interior have been particularly evident in leading the ‘No Haj Without a Permit’ campaign, aimed at enabling pilgrims holding Haj permits to perform Haj and mobilising security and humanitarian services for them at land, sea, and air entry points.

The campaign has worked to curb anything that could disrupt pilgrims’ Haj by addressing violators of Haj regulations and instructions who did not hold permits authorising them to perform Haj, 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 Saudi Arabia for up to 10 years.

The security forces of Saudi Arabia’s 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 Haj regulations and instructions, in addition to naming and shaming of offenders, deportation of expatriate transporters, and a ban on re-entry into Saudi Arabia for up to 10 years.

Saudi’s Ministry of Interior has also continued its media and awareness efforts on Haj regulations and instructions, as well as the ‘No Haj 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 Haj and security messages through the ministry’s official accounts and security sectors on social media platforms, reaching more than 30 million users.

The No Haj 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 emphasised 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. 

-- BERNAMA-SPA