Saudi Arabian authorities have barred over 269,000 individuals without official permits from entering Mecca ahead of the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, in a major enforcement push aimed at preventing overcrowding and ensuring the safety of worshippers.
According to Al Arabiya and the Associated Press, the Saudi Interior Ministry said on Sunday that those turned back include both Saudi residents and foreign nationals who attempted to participate in Hajj without required authorisation. Violators now face fines of up to $5,000 and possible deportation.
At a press conference in Mecca, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Omari warned of strict consequences for offenders. “The pilgrim is in our sight, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands,” he declared.
The clampdown also led to penalties for over 23,000 local residents, while 400 Hajj service providers had their licences revoked for breaching regulations.
Saudi officials noted that only those with valid permits are permitted to perform Hajj, regardless of whether they reside in Mecca or other parts of the Kingdom. The directive follows growing concerns over the strain unauthorized pilgrims place on infrastructure, security, and emergency response during the pilgrimage.
Last year, several of those who died during a heatwave were discovered to be unregistered pilgrims, highlighting the dangers of bypassing official protocols.
As of now, approximately 1.4 million authorised pilgrims are already present in Mecca, with thousands more expected in the coming days. This year’s Hajj is taking place amid extremely high temperatures, prompting additional precautions by the authorities.
For the first time, Saudi Civil Defence has deployed drones to bolster surveillance, manage crowds, and even assist with firefighting operations.
The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a mandatory act of worship for Muslims who are physically and financially capable, and is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
Officials have urged all intending pilgrims to follow official procedures to ensure a safe and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage.
