The accident, which left many pilgrims dead during this Haj season, also left behind many impressions and questions. How did the accident happen? When are we going to see a Haj without such things happening? Everybody — Saudis and non-Saudis — has the right to ask these questions. Many days after the tragedy, many people are still searching for answers. Every pilgrim who was there and who was a witness will offer his or her ideas, conclusions and suggestions.
It is good to see people concerned about problems which affect the Kingdom. The Saudi government and Saudi citizens are concerned about providing the best possible services to pilgrims and making sure that the pilgrims return home safely after Haj. This pillar of Islam is a very big responsibility that requires that the country mobilize its resources and that its citizens cooperate to ensure safety and security.
It has become clear that overstayers are the main reason for problems during Haj and Umrah and their numbers are increasing every year. They are in Makkah before Haj begins and perform Haj without a permit, carrying their personal belongings with them during all the rituals. They are the main reason for road obstacles as they sleep on roads and sidewalks. This fact was confirmed by Haj Minister Iyad Madani at a press conference last week. He said the size of the luggage found at the scene of the accident confirmed that those involved were mostly overstayers and those who had gone to Makkah without permits. He said the number of overstayers would be subtracted from the number of pilgrims allowed next year from the countries of the overstayers. The countries cannot be blamed for overstayers nor can they stop their citizens from staying in the Kingdom. The Saudi government has the right to take action against illegal overstayers and against Saudi citizens who harbor them and give them housing.
People, companies and institutions share in creating the problem if they harbor overstayers, provide them with housing jobs and then allow them to perform Haj and Umrah. If Saudis and companies did not provide help to overstayers, we would not see so many in the Kingdom and so many problems resulting from their presence. I think the government should institute swift punishments for Saudis who provide housing for them.
What is happening now is that overstayers work for very low salaries which encourages many Saudis to employ them. Large numbers of them were present in Makkah before Haj and Ramadan in order to perform Umrah. They are the main problem for Haj.
The problem of overstayers is economic and social and needs immediate planning which will lead to a lasting solution. The solution lies in the hands of citizens and business owners. They must demand iqamas of non-Saudis if the non-Saudis are offered jobs. Owners of businesses should not buy or sell anything to those without iqamas and should inform the authorities of where the overstayers are.
