Saudi Arabia has turned back more than 250,000 ‘illegal’ pilgrims before they could enter Mecca

Saudi officials said on Sunday (June 1) that about 269,678 people were prevented from entering Mecca without permission to participate in the hajj. Authorities have taken strict measures against illegal entry to Mecca.

The Saudi government is blaming unauthorized participants for the overcrowding of the hajj. Saudi authorities blame these unauthorized participants for the deaths in last year’s intense summer heat, according to a report by the AP.

There are currently 1.4 million Muslims in Mecca. Hundreds of thousands more are expected to arrive in the coming days.

Those performing the hajj without permission face fines of up to $5,000 and other punitive measures, such as deportation. This policy also applies to Saudi citizens and Saudi residents living there.

Officials said at a news conference in Mecca that 269,678 people have been prevented from entering Mecca. According to the rules, only those with permits can perform the Hajj, even if they live in Mecca all year round.

According to the AP report, officials have fined more than 23,000 Saudi residents for violating Hajj regulations and revoked the licenses of 400 Hajj companies.

Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Omari told the media, “We are keeping an eye on the pilgrims, and we will catch those who violate the rules.”