Abdulrahman Al-Ali

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The checkpoints at the gateways to Makkah have foiled several attempts by illegal pilgrims to enter the holy sites.

The most prominent of these attempts so far was a cleaning company's bus that was stopped at Al-Jabalain sorting checkpoint on the Jeddah-Makkah Road. The bus was carrying 13 overstayers who had entered the country on Umrah visas.

Apart from the overstayers, there were several African and Asian infiltrators and a resident working for a cleaning company. They had donned women’s clothes, used cosmetics and worn ornaments including bracelets so as to deceive the security men. Upon referring them to the women’s inspection room, their real sex was uncovered. The illegal pilgrims have been taken into custody.

This was confirmed by Brig. Gen. Ayidh Al-Harbi, Commander of the Passports Department Force in Haj. He said that the vehicle was impounded at the Traffic Department while the transporter and overstayers were handed over to the Expatriates Administration so as to mete out penalties according to the regulations. These include a fine, imprisonment and deportation after taking to task all those involved in this operation.

Brig. Gen. Al-Harbi said Al-Behaitah seasonal checkpoint has succeeded in stopping another bus carrying 46 male and female Saudi nationals wearing civilian clothes and sportswear over the Ihram. They were not carrying Haj permits.

Al-Harbi said measures will be taken against the transporter and the bus, according to regulations. The transporter will be taken into custody and the bus impounded at the Traffic Department. The illegal pilgrims will be turned back to where they had come from.  

Meanwhile, special teams from the Directorate General of Passports foiled an attempt by Asian expatriates to smuggle an illegal pilgrim to the holy sites. The illegal pilgrim wore an abaya to get past security men at Al-Rehaili checkpoint. However, the illegal pilgrim was arrested following confirmation that the illegal pilgrim was actually a man with a mustache.

The Passports Department officers had suspected the man was disguised as a woman from the outset because the driver appeared to be nervous. They then referred the abaya-wearing pilgrim to the female inspectors to confirm his sex.

Al-Harbi added that the vehicle was impounded and the driver’s transaction was referred to the Expatriates Administration with the intention of implementing the regulations on him. The penalties include a fine, imprisonment and deportation for the expatriate who provided transport to illegal pilgrims, as they had no Haj permits. They intended to enter the holy sites and sleep outdoors on the pavement.

Al-Harbi said on Friday six buses were stopped. They were carrying citizens and expatriates totaling 186 who were not holding Haj permits. The drivers were taken into custody and the buses were impounded, while those who were not holding permits were turned back.

Al-Harbi said that this was the measure taken in such cases. He added that so far, 9,000 people have been turned back from the checkpoints and gateways to Makkah.

One bus was stopped at Al-Tan’eem checkpoint for checking. It was carrying a number of Saudi nationals and expatriates who were also not holding Haj permits. They were wearing Saudi thobes or night thobes on top of the Ihram. As with the aformentioned cases, the driver was taken into custody and the vehicle impounded.