Saudi Arabia announced the introduction of large financial penalties on Thursday for those attempting to perform Hajj without permission. The Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia confirmed today, on Thursday, the implementation of a financial penalty of up to 100,000 riyals for any person applying for a visa for the purpose of visiting all types (of sites) and attempting to perform Hajj without permission, or entering Mecca and the holy sites, or remaining there from the first day of the month of Zul-Qi'dah until the end of the 14th day of the month of Zul-Hijjah.
In its press release today, widely circulated by the Saudi news agency "WAS", the ministry stated that "penalties may be imposed on all individuals for whom visas were issued for the purpose of visiting all types and who attempted to perform Hajj without permission or exited to Mecca and the holy sites or remained there".
The ministry called on all to comply with the rules and instructions of Hajj, aimed at ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims for fulfilling their rites peacefully and confidently, and also to inform about violations of these rules and instructions.
