In an aggressive bid to curb unauthorized participation in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabian authorities have expelled or turned back over 269,000 individuals attempting to enter Mecca without official permits.
Officials from the Interior Ministry announced the figures at a press conference held in Mecca, underscoring the kingdom’s zero-tolerance policy toward illegal pilgrimage activities. Only pilgrims with official Hajj permits are permitted access to Mecca during the sacred season. Even residents of the city are barred from joining the pilgrimage without the required documentation.
Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Omari emphasized the firm stance of security forces, declaring, “The pilgrim is in our sight, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands.” According to authorities, both foreign nationals and Saudi residents have been caught attempting to perform Hajj without approval.
Penalties have been widespread and severe. Over 23,000 residents were penalized for violating Hajj protocols, while more than 400 licensed service providers have had their permits revoked due to misconduct. Financial penalties for individuals caught without permits can reach up to $5,000, and foreign nationals risk deportation.
The crackdown also extended to transportation networks. Saudi Public Security Director and Hajj Security Committee Chairman Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami revealed that 1,239 individuals were arrested for attempting to transport unregistered pilgrims. More than 75,000 violations of Hajj regulations have been recorded this season, and over 415 illegal Hajj offices have been dismantled by security personnel.
In addition to turning back hundreds of thousands of people at entry points to Mecca, authorities have intercepted 110,000 vehicles attempting to carry unauthorized pilgrims. Over 5,000 vehicles have been impounded for operating in defiance of pilgrimage regulations. Permanent checkpoints have been activated at major access routes to the holy city to maintain the security perimeter and enforce compliance.
As part of the wider security strategy, Saudi officials have introduced advanced technological tools to monitor and manage the influx of pilgrims. This year marks the first time drones have been deployed by Saudi Civil Defence during Hajj. These unmanned systems will assist in crowd control, general surveillance, and emergency response, including firefighting duties. Artificial intelligence is also being used by security forces to detect and neutralize attempts at unauthorized entry and service fraud.
The focus on tighter enforcement follows the tragic events of 2024, when over a thousand pilgrims, many of them unregistered, died during extreme heat conditions. The presence of large numbers of illegal pilgrims overwhelmed official safety and medical services.
Over 1.4 million officially registered pilgrims are already in Mecca, with more arriving daily as the key stages of Hajj draw closer. The Saudi government has reiterated that strict compliance with Hajj regulations is essential not only for order and spiritual sanctity but also for safeguarding lives in one of the largest annual religious gatherings in the world.
