The Saudi government has fined 40 illegal operators and sentenced them to jail terms of 6 months to two years for violating Haj regulations.

The Taif Pilgrims Organizing Department said that most of the violators are Saudi citizens. Khalid Mansour, a citizen, was fined SR1.3 million for trying to transport pilgrims without permits into Makkah.

Others received penalties of between SR75,000 and SR100,000 for transporting pilgrims without permits. Those transporting illegal residents received jail sentences.

The Supreme Haj Committee recently announced that the government would punish those violating Haj regulations, whether they are expatriates or Saudis. Taif Police Superintendent Brig. Mohammad Al-Walidi said Al-Buhaita checkpoint has been equipped with state-of-the-art technology to register the names of violators.

In earlier reports, the government announced that security personnel raided 40 fake Haj service firms. Around 49,600 people without Haj permits were stopped from entering the holy sites up until Sep. 30, according to a statement issued by the Interior Ministry.

Security officers also stopped 25,216 vehicles with no permits from entering the holy sites, and impounded 85 vehicles for various traffic violations, the report said.

The Passport Department said it has issued 67 verdicts against 52 citizens and 15 expatriate workers for violating Haj regulations. The total fines imposed on them exceeded SR3 million.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh has said that performing Haj without a permit is unlawful in Saudi Arabia and therefore not allowed by Islam. “Whoever does that to perform an optional Haj has fallen into something haram.”

He said the government passed the law to prevent overcrowding at the holy sites and ensure the safety of pilgrims. “This Haj permit or pass is part of a rule that has been implemented to keep pilgrims safe, so Muslims must fear Allah, and make absolutely sure they cooperate with their leaders.”