Makkah Governor and Chairman of the Haj Central Committee Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said 95 illegal Haj companies had been discovered across the Kingdom and their staff arrested. More than 120,000 violators of Haj regulations and about 46,000 cars were sent back.

In an interview with Saudi Channel One, he said that the reduction in the number of domestic and external pilgrims had a positive impact on pilgrim movements and the number of accidents. There was a reduction of 20 percent of foreign pilgrims and 50 percent of domestic Hajis from last year.

Prince Khaled said the government departments’ stations in Mina will be moved to the new complex. This year, some stations shifted into 10 buildings in the complex from a total of 50 which will be ready by the next Haj season. This will free 23 percent of the tents’ area for pilgrims. However, field staff will continue to be present in the tent areas.

He said the Ministry of Haj had approached more than 30 domestic-pilgrim companies to offer low-cost programs ranging between SR2,500 and SR5,000.

He said there was increased awareness of Haj regulations this year.

“We succeeded in convincing people that respecting regulations is part of self-respect and respect for the country one is living in. We will not allow an illegal pilgrim to cause inconvenience to legal pilgrims whose safety and dignity must be respected.”