As the Hajj season draws near, Saudi Arabia has successfully completed the arrival of over 1.35 million pilgrims through various ports, marking the end of the arrival phase for this year’s pilgrimage. Brigadier General Saleh bin Saad Al-Murab announced the smooth and efficient provision of services to pilgrims, facilitated by the latest technology, including mobile devices and electronic mobile cards. The Makkah Road initiative has also been a significant facilitator, with nearly a million pilgrims completing their entry procedures in their home countries and the Saudi Red Crescent ready to provide comprehensive emergency services to ensure the safety of pilgrims at the Sacred Sites during the Hajj, which begins on June 14th amidst heightened security measures to protect and ensure the safety of all attendees and maintain the sanctity of the holy sites while preventing political or sectarian activities and ensuring the comfort of the pilgrims. Saudi authorities have also implemented stringent security controls, refusing entry to over 320,000 unregistered pilgrims and arresting those without valid permits. The security forces have intercepted both foreign nationals with tourist visas and Saudi residents without the necessary Hajj permits. Furthermore, the kingdom has emphasized the importance of wearing the ‘Neske’ smart card and the Hajj information card during all movements, distinguishing registered pilgrims from irregular ones. The Ministry of Defense has outlined a comprehensive security plan, deploying special forces, intelligence agencies, and technical teams to monitor and respond to any threats. The ministry has also warned against any attempts to politicize the Hajj. The Saudi government has made it clear that the security and safety of pilgrims are of utmost priority and will not tolerate any violations of Hajj regulations.
Key points
- Saudi Arabia has finalized the arrival of over 1.
- Strict security enforcement has led to the refusal of entry to over 320,000 unregistered pilgrims and the arrest of violators.
- Security plans include the deployment of special forces and the use of AI to ensure pilgrim safety.
35 million pilgrims for Hajj, utilizing advanced technology for efficient processing.
