Watch how Saudi Arabia uses drones to catch illegal pilgrims ahead of Hajj

Cairo: Saudi Arabia has deployed advanced technologies, including drones, to enhance its efforts to identify irregular pilgrims ahead of this year’s Islamic Hajj pilgrimage.

The Kingdom’s General Directorate of Public Security released a video showing a drone equipped with a high-resolution camera monitoring violators and vehicles attempting to transport unauthorized pilgrims without the required official permits.

Saudi security authorities are conducting a relentless crackdown on illegal pilgrims and their facilitators as part of the high-profile campaign titled "No Hajj Without a Permit."

The video shows a drone spotting a suspicious vehicle in the desert suspected of carrying undocumented pilgrims. The drone relayed the vehicle’s coordinates to security patrols, who swiftly arrested the violators.

These drones are part of a detailed surveillance system that uses artificial intelligence and thermal cameras to detect violators.

In recent days, Saudi authorities have arrested several people involved in illegally transporting undocumented pilgrims to the holy sites.

The Ministry of Interior stated that administrative penalties have been issued against violators through ad-hoc seasonal committees. These penalties include prison sentences, fines up to SR100,000 per violator, deportation of involved expatriates after serving their sentences, and a 10-year ban on re-entry into Saudi Arabia.

The ministry has also sought judicial orders to confiscate vehicles used in the illegal transport.

Saudi Arabia reiterates that a Hajj visa is mandatory to perform the pilgrimage, and holders of visit visas are not permitted to undertake the holy journey.

Overseas pilgrims must obtain a Hajj visa issued by Saudi authorities in coordination with Hajj Affairs offices in 80 countries or via the Nusuk Hajj platform for pilgrims from 126 countries.

The Ministry of Interior has also announced fines of up to SR20,000 for anyone caught performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit.

These strict measures come amid concerns about some foreign visitors overstaying their visas in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj illegally.

Hajj is one of Islam’s five obligatory duties, required at least once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able.