Today's Edition
Riyadh (ALETIHAD)
Saudi Arabia is ramping up a crackdown on unregistered worshippers at next week's Hajj pilgrimage.
Regular raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts are aimed at rooting out unauthorised visitors hoping to mingle among the crowds in and around the holy city of Makkah.
The simple message, "No Hajj without a permit", is being blared out in a relentless campaign promoted nationwide at shopping centres, on billboards and across media platforms.
The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be completed by all Muslims with the means at least once.
'Unprecedented' security
To seek out unregistered pilgrims, Saudi authorities have rolled out a new fleet of drones to monitor entrances into Makkah.
Security forces have also raided hundreds of apartments in search of people hiding out in the area.
Meanwhile, fines for an illicit Hajj have doubled to 20,000 Saudi riyals ($5,333), with violators facing a 10-year ban from the country.
Those found to be harbouring and helping unauthorised pilgrims can be fined up to 100,000 riyals ($26,666).
However, officials said on Tuesday that more than a million pilgrims had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.
While the pilgrimage, which follows a lunar calendar, will eventually shift to the cooler winter season, relief will be temporary.
