JEDDAH: The government will be forced to adopt tougher measures to prevent undocumented pilgrims from entering the holy sites, Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said during a visit to Mina yesterday.

The prince said those who transport illegal pilgrims would be brought to justice.

He emphasized the role Saudis play in cutting down the number of undocumented pilgrims and those who transport them to the holy sites. “Haj is the biggest Islamic event in the world and we Saudis are honored to host this spiritual event every year. It is our duty to make it successful without exploiting it for material gain,” he said.

“When Saudis realize the enormity of their responsibility to the management of Haj, we’ll be able to solve this problem. We must foster a culture of Islamic hospitality,” he said.

Prince Khaled said undocumented pilgrims not only violate the Kingdom’s regulations, they create unnecessary congestion in the holy sites, causing problems for other pilgrims.

Security officers at checkpoints have already denied entry to more than 90,000 illegal pilgrims not in possession of Haj permits.

“We’ll continue this process in the coming years until we find a way to stop all illegal pilgrims from entering the holy sites,” he said. “Things are improving year after year.”

The prince also addressed the transport issue. “We have a comprehensive development plan for Makkah and the holy sites and it includes the expansion of transport facilities. We know this is a big problem during Haj when three million faithful move between the holy sites and Makkah in five days.”

During the last few days, thousands of Saudis and expatriates who do not possess Haj permits are being smuggled into Makkah and the holy sites by Saudi taxi drivers who charge exorbitant fees.

Most of these pilgrims take the illegal route because of the high prices charged by domestic Haj service companies. Pilgrims pay at least SR 4,000 to join a Haj group. Many will choose to pay SR 250 to SR 500 to taxi drivers to reach the holy sites illegally. Amin Khan from Pakistan said he paid SR 500 for a taxi from Jeddah to Makkah.

Adil, an undocumented Arab pilgrim from Dammam, said he does not believe what he is doing is wrong in light of the high prices charged by domestic Haj groups. “Haj agencies from Dammam are charging at least SR 8,000. My monthly salary is SR 1,500 and I cannot pay those prices to perform Haj.”

Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar has said his ministry is studying ways to reduce the high costs paid by domestic pilgrims.

Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki said his officers have been instructed to turn back undocumented pilgrims rather than arrest them. Authorities have seized more than 190 vehicles carrying illegal pilgrims.