Hajj 2025: Temporary shelters for irregular pilgrims

Cairo: For the first time, Saudi Arabia has set up temporary sheltering facilities for Muslims trying to illegally access the holy places to perform the Hajj pilgrimage without an official permit.

Two such centres have been established south and north of the Red Sea city of Jeddah to accommodate those pilgrims in coordination with security agencies and other relevant bodies, a local official has said.

“They are hosted there until disciplinary procedures are taken against them,” Jeddah Municipality spokesman Mohammed Al Baqmi told Saudi television Al Ekhbariya.

Over recent weeks, Saudi authorities have issued penalties against dozens of individuals involved in violating Hajj-linked regulations amid a relentless clampdown on undocumented pilgrims and facilitators.

The kingdom’s Interior Ministry has said it issued administrative decisions against the violators through ad-hoc seasonal committees. These decisions included prison sentences and fines of up to SR100,000 per violator, deportation of the involved expatriates after serving their sentencing, and a ban on their entry into Saudi Arabia for 10 years.

The ministry has also requested judicial orders for the confiscation of the vehicles used in the transport.

Saudi authorities have repeatedly said that a Hajj visa is mandatory to perform the pilgrimage rites and that a visit visa does not qualify its holder to undertake the holy journey.

The foreign pilgrim must obtain a Hajj visa issued by Saudi authorities, in coordination with Hajj Affairs offices in 80 countries, or through the Nusuk Hajj platform, designated for pilgrims coming from 126 countries.

The Ministry of Interior has announced a fine of up to SR20,000 on anyone caught performing or attempting to perform Hajj without the official permit.

The strict instructions come amid concerns about attempts by some foreign visitors to overstay their visas in Saudi Arabia to illegally perform the Hajj.

Hajj is one of Islam’s five obligatory duties. Muslims who are physically and financially able must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.