MINA, 5 December 2007 — More than 7,000 security forces will be deployed in Mina during the annual pilgrimage period this year in order to ensure the smooth flow of pilgrims and prevent their squatting in public places.
The announcement was made yesterday in a press conference attended by commanders of Haj security forces, which Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Sahli, assistant commander for criminal security and Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, director of Haj and Umrah affairs at the Interior Ministry.
The commanders warned pickpockets and other criminals who try to undermine Haj security. “We have set out a comprehensive security plan for the guests of God so that they can perform their Haj rituals in peace and tranquillity,” Sahli told reporters.
He emphasized the determination of security agencies to prevent crimes before they take place. “Criminal security agents, anti-pickpocket teams and other special forces will be in place to make coordinated efforts to ensure law and order,” Sahli said.
He said verdicts on theft and pickpockets would be issued within minutes after the arrest of criminals by judges present at the holy sites.
“We will deal with criminals with an iron hand,” he added. Sahli said security forces have already arrested a large number of thieves and pickpockets who came from abroad, adding that they included non-Muslims.
“There are high-level contacts with neighboring countries to arrest these gangs before they come to the Kingdom.”
Maj. Gen. Turki, who is also a spokesman for the Interior Ministry, highlighted the efforts of the government departments to make the Haj a success. “We have taken measures to stop squatting in Mina and have allocated spaces for squatters in Muaisem and Wadi Mahsab,” he said.
He added that the completion of the third phase of the high-tech Jamrat bridge project would have a big impact on facilitating the stoning ritual. “We have made a special plan to control pilgrims going to Jamrat for the stoning ritual in order to prevent stampedes,” he added.
Turki said Passport Department officers have been stationed at entry points and on desert roads to stop domestic pilgrims without Haj permits.
“Helicopters will be used to monitor the movement of such pilgrims into the holy sites on desert roads,” he said. The Council of Ministers has instructed police to confiscate vehicles that carry illegal pilgrims. He also called on the citizens and residents to cooperate with security agencies to prevent entry of those people without a Haj permit.
Maj. Gen. Saad Al-Khulaiwi, assistant commander for the organization of pedestrian pilgrims, said more than 7,000 men would be deployed at the holy sites to organize the movement of pilgrims.
Brig. Muhammad Al-Shahrani, commander of special forces and supervisor of Jamrat bridge, said his forces were ready to handle the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who gather at Jamrat for the stoning ritual during the last three days of Haj.
