SAUDI ARABIA APPROVES SECURITY PLAN OF 2021 HAJJ

Mon 05 July 2021:

Saudi Arabia approved on Sunday the security plan for 2021 Hajj season that takes into account precautions against COVID-19, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

According to the plan issued by the Saudi interior ministry that aims to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, a fine of 10,000 Saudi Riyals (2,666 U.S. dollars) will be imposed on anyone who attempts to enter the ritual sites without permission.

The ministry calls on all citizens and residents to obey the special regulations of this year’s Hajj season.

Meanwhile, police officers will perform their duties on all routes leading to the Grand Mosque and holy sites.

SR10,000 fine for anyone trying to access Grand Mosque, holy sites without permit during Hajj season

Anyone found attempting to access Makkah’s Grand Mosque, the area around it and the holy Hajj sites without a permit from Monday till the end of the annual pilgrimage will be fined SR10,000 ($2,666).

Holy sites include Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat, and the fine will be doubled if the offense is carried out twice, the interior ministry said.

The ministry called on all citizens and residents to abide by instructions issued regarding the Hajj season this year and said that security personnel will carry out their duties on all roads and paths leading to the Grand Mosque and the holy sites to prevent violations and issue penalties to violators.

Saudi Arabia announced last month that the 2021 Hajj season would be limited to domestic pilgrims only and allows a maximum of 60,000 individuals. It will be the second Hajj season with no foreign pilgrims in order to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 13 million worshippers wearing masks and observing physical distancing rules have visited the mosques since the seven-month prayer and Umrah suspension was lifted last October.

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