JEDDAH, 6 January — Saudi Arabia has warned pilgrims against indulging in any form of political propaganda during Haj and said anyone caught violating the country’s laws will be prosecuted.
The warning was contained in rules and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Haj ahead of the annual pilgrimage to Makkah which this year reaches its climax in the last week of February. Around one million pilgrims from various parts of the world and as many within the Kingdom are expected to perform Haj this year.
The ministry outlined the arrival and departure dates for pilgrims and safety guidelines they are required to follow to ensure a smooth and incident-free Haj.
This year’s pilgrimage comes at a time of growing anti-Western sentiments in the Muslim world angered by relentless campaigns linking Islam and Muslims with extremism and terrorism in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks against the United States.
The ministry said it would not tolerate staging of political rallies during Haj and cautioned pilgrims against carrying any pamphlets or pictures of political nature.
"These regulations, derived from the Kingdom’s laws, are meant to make Haj easier and safer. We welcome any suggestions that would help facilitate the process," said Iyad Madani, minister of Haj.
"The Kingdom’s doors are open to all Muslims coming for Haj and for visiting the Prophet’s Mosque. We are mobilizing all our potentials to protect the pilgrims and enable them to perform their religious duty in ease and comfort," the minister said.
Tragic accidents such as fires and stampedes, especially in the Jamrat area in Mina, have marred the Haj in the past.
Madani said the Kingdom does not levy any fees or taxes from the pilgrims and that the amounts paid by them are for the services provided by private tawafa (hospitality) establishments and transport companies.
According to the new regulations, the arrival of pilgrims at the Kingdom’s entry points should be completed by the fourth day of the lunar month of Dhul Hijjah (Feb. 16) — five days ahead of the climax of Haj on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah.
The schedule covers pilgrims coming by air through King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, Prince Muhammad ibn Abdul Aziz Airport in Madinah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam as well as those arriving on ships at the Jeddah Islamic Port. Pilgrims traveling by road should arrive in the Kingdom by the end of Dhul Qaadah (Feb. 12).
Pilgrims coming by land routes should leave the country by the beginning of March while those coming by air will have to leave by mid-March and the sea pilgrims by the end of the month.
Haj missions of foreign countries have been asked to ensure that their governments stick to the quota system enforced since 1987 limiting the number of pilgrims from each country to one thousand for every one million of the Muslim population.
The system was introduced by the Saudi government on the recommendation of the 55-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference to reduce overcrowding in the holy places. Under the current rules, Saudi citizens and expatriate residents are not allowed to perform Haj more than once in five years.
