Saudi Arabia increases Mecca housing capacity to 1.8 million for Hajj pilgrims

Cairo: Authorities in the Saudi city of Mecca have raised housing capacity to 1.8 million pilgrims during the upcoming Islamic Hajj pilgrimage season.

The Mecca mayoralty has issued 3,161 permits to shelter regular pilgrims covering around 429,232 rooms that meet specifications designed to provide high levels of comfort and safety during the season.

The first groups of pilgrims from several countries started arriving in the kingdom in the run-up to the holy season.

As of Tuesday (April 29), holders of all types of visas, except for those holding a Hajj visa, are not allowed to enter or remain in Mecca.

Tuesday also marked the deadline for all foreign pilgrims undertaking the Umrah or minor pilgrimage to leave the country, as the kingdom intensifying efforts for the Hajj rites due this year in early June.

Saudi authorities have confirmed that staying beyond this date is deemed an offence that makes the violator liable to legal penalties.

The warning comes amid concerns about attempts by some foreign visitors to overstay their Umrah visas to illegally perform the Hajj in and around Mecca.

The Ministry of Hajj has urged individuals and Umrah companies to abide by regulations governing the departure of pilgrims at the specified times.

Around 1.8 million pilgrims, including 1.6 million from abroad, performed last year's Hajj. Muslims who are physically and financially able must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.