RIYADH: Three people were arrested for violating Hajj regulations on Sunday after they failed to produce valid permits, Hajj Security Forces Command Brig. Gen. Sami Al-Shuwairekh said.
Legal measures were taken against them and they were issued SR10,000 ($2,665) fines.
Al-Shuwairekh called on all citizens and residents to abide by instructions for this year’s pilgrimage, adding that security personnel will bring forward legal measures against anyone who tries to reach the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the central surrounding area and the holy sites (Mina, Muzdalifah, Arafat) without a permit until July 23.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that pilgrims will be received on July 17 and 18 in four centers, where they will be transported to the Grand Mosque by buses to perform the arrival tawaf, before heading to the holy sites.
The ministry announced that online registration for pilgrims, which began on June 13, had closed, with 60,000 people from within the Kingdom qualifying after meeting health and regulatory requirements. Permits were issued to nationals from 150 countries. Priority was given to certain age groups and those who had not performed Hajj before.
