As special arrangements are being made by Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2024, a crackdown on illegal pilgrims is also underway.
Recently, Saudi police arrested a Pakistani citizen.
According to a report by the local newspaper 24, Jeddah police arrested the individual for sharing and making false claims about Hajj campaigns, residential, and travel facilities.
Sources indicate that legal proceedings have been initiated against the Pakistani citizen, and a public prosecution has been recommended.
Ahead of Hajj, individuals coming to Mecca with fake documents or illegally have been warned. Travel agents and hotels have also been cautioned not to engage in any illegal activities.
The security authority has advised the public not to respond to any advertisements that mention Hajj bracelets, travel facilities, or performing Hajj on behalf of others.
The authority has confirmed that heavy fines will be imposed for any such actions. Complaints about any illegal or suspicious activities can be reported to 911 in Mecca, Riyadh, and Al Sharqiya cities.
For other cities, complaints can be made by contacting 999.
Why and How People Perform Illegal Hajj and the Savings Involved
As Saudi Arabia prepares for Hajj 2024, reports of arrests for policy violations among pilgrims are emerging. This could pose significant challenges for those attempting to perform Hajj illegally.
Individuals performing Hajj illegally can save significant amounts of money, as their entry is not recorded in the Saudi database, allowing them to avoid various fees. However, the situation becomes problematic when Saudi authorities apprehend them.
One such case involves a 70-year-old Egyptian pilgrim named Muhammad (who only provided his first name) currently in Mecca for an illegal Hajj. Muhammad has been living on beans and meat and staying in an apartment for several weeks, hoping to evade Saudi search operations and complete Hajj this year.
Muhammad is among thousands attempting Hajj illegally to save costs. In an interview with AFP, he shared that he has been applying for an official Hajj permit in Egypt for the past ten years without success. Even if he obtained a permit, the cheapest travel package would cost at least 175,000 Egyptian pounds, equivalent to over 1 million Pakistani rupees.
Muhammad opted for a tourist visa to Saudi Arabia and arranged accommodation near the mountains of Arafat through a travel agent. He paid 3,500 Saudi Riyals (over 250,000 Pakistani rupees) for his stay and is prepared to endure harsh conditions and challenges, including drinking ample water to stay hydrated.
According to Saudi security sources, 1.8 million Muslims performed Hajj last year, with nearly 100,000 identified as illegal pilgrims. The presence of illegal pilgrims increases the risk of incidents like stampedes due to the limited area of Mecca.
Those who facilitate illegal pilgrims face fines of 10,000 Saudi Riyals (over 742,000 Pakistani rupees). Religious scholars have declared performing Hajj through illegal means as unlawful.
Another Egyptian illegal pilgrim mentioned that they cannot access air-conditioned tents and must sleep in surrounding areas. The constant fear of being caught by the police distracts from focusing on religious practices.
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