Saudi Arabia warns of deporting illegal pilgrims

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has warned of tough action against illegal pilgrims, including immediate deportation, through a drive named “No Haj Without Permission”.

This was highlighted at a press conference by the country’s Haj security forces which revealed security plans, including deployment of forces in all lanes leading to Makkah to check the identities of pilgrims and their permissions.

Seventy police patrols have been assigned to chase and arrest illegal pilgrims, said the head of a security centre, Colonel Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Obaid.

Saudi Arabia is expected to received fewer pilgrims this year with its decision to reduce the number of foreign pilgrims by 20 per cent and domestic pilgrims by 50 per cent because of expansion works at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.