JEDDAH: Commander of Passport checkpoints for Haj Col. Aed Al-Harbi warned companies that provide domestic Haj services against transporting Saudi or non-Saudi pilgrims without valid Haj permits, Al-Watan newspaper reported on Friday.
A domestic Haj company, if it violates the regulation, will be punished with a fine up to SR10,000 per illegal pilgrim besides the seizure of the company’s vehicle.
In a related development Col. Khalaf Al-Tuwairaqi, commander of the checkpoints of the Passport Department at various entrances to Makkah, said 3,000 pilgrims were arrested on violations of Haj regulations until Thursday.
Officials at the checkpoints mainly examine Haj permits and iqamas. There are 12 entry checkpoints on roads entering Makkah. Nobody can enter Makkah without passing through one of these checkpoints because all other roads including unpaved roads leading to Makkah and holy sites have been closed, he added.
However, he added that there are expatriates exempted from carrying Haj permits. Expatriates allowed to enter Makkah without Haj permits must prove they are living and working in Makkah by showing their iqamas.
He said the officials manning the entry points are experienced and specially trained to discover fake documents and violators of residence regulations. The checkpoint officials work in collaboration with various security and police departments. The Traffic Department sees that all mud roads and less frequented paths to the city and holy sites are closed. The police department help passport officials arrest violators. All expatriate violators of residence regulations will be deported.
He also warned drivers of pilgrim vehicles that they are not exempted from regulations governing Haj permits. Already 120 drivers have been arrested for not carrying Haj permits, he said.
