Saudi Arabian authorities have turned have turned away more than 269,000 individuals without official Hajj permits from entering Mecca, as part of efforts to enforce regulations and maintain order during the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
This was disclosed by Saudi officials on Sunday during a press briefing in Mecca, according to reports from Al Arabiya and the Associated Press.
The move, which targeted both foreign nationals and Saudi residents attempting to partake in the pilgrimage without authorisation, is part of a broader crackdown on unauthorised entry during the 2025 Hajj season.
Speaking during the media briefing, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Omari stated, “The pilgrim is in our sight, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands.”
He confirmed that 269,678 people were intercepted and denied access into Mecca, while more than 23,000 residents were penalised for violating Hajj regulations.
The Saudi Interior Ministry further revealed that over 400 Hajj service providers had their licences revoked due to non-compliance with pilgrimage rules. Offenders risk fines of up to $5,000, with some facing deportation.
Authorities stressed that only those with valid Hajj permits are allowed to perform the pilgrimage, regardless of their residency in the holy city.
The strict enforcement comes amid increasing concern over overcrowding and safety risks posed by unauthorised pilgrims.
Government officials noted that many of the fatalities recorded during last year’s pilgrimage under intense summer heat were among unregistered participants.
This year’s Hajj is again being held under extreme temperatures, intensifying health and safety concerns.
As of Sunday, approximately 1.4 million pilgrims with valid permits had arrived in Mecca, with more expected in the coming days.
In a bid to strengthen surveillance and crowd management, Saudi Civil Defence has deployed drones for the first time. The drones will aid in crowd monitoring, firefighting, and overall security operations during the pilgrimage.
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a religious obligation for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it at least once in their lifetime.
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