Nearly 962,000 pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for Hajj

A total of 961,903 pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, according to the General Directorate of Passports, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on May 25.

The directorate said 912,598 pilgrims entered the kingdom via airports, 45,028 through land crossings, and 4,277 by sea, as the kingdom prepares to host one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.

The authority reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a smooth arrival experience by equipping all international entry points with advanced technology and deploying highly trained, multilingual staff.

Kingdom cracks down on Hajj regulation violaters

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior announced that Hajj Security Forces had apprehended five residents and nine citizens at the entrances to Makkah for violating Hajj regulations by transporting 44 individuals without Hajj permits, SPA reported.

Seasonal administrative committees have issued decisions against the transporters, their accomplices, and the unauthorised pilgrims. Penalties included imprisonment, fines of up to SAR100,000, deportation of resident offenders with a 10-year reentry ban after serving their sentences, and public naming of violators. The ministry also initiated judicial proceedings to confiscate the vehicles used and imposed fines of up to SAR20,000 on individuals who attempted to perform Hajj without permits.

The Ministry of Interior further warned that individuals who shelter or attempt to shelter holders of any type of visit visa in residential accommodations—including hotels, apartments, private homes, or pilgrim housing — within Makkah and the holy sites from Dhu Al-Qi’dah 1 to Dhu Al-Hijjah 14 will face penalties of up to SAR100,000. The fines will increase based on the number of individuals sheltered or assisted.

The ministry reiterated the importance of following Hajj regulations and encouraged the public to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.