New Delhi: Almost 2,70,000 people have been stopped by Saudi Arabian authorities from entering Mecca ahead of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. This has been done in a bid to check overcrowding and mitigate safety risks posed by large crowds, officials pointed out.
According to reports, by Sunday, 1.4 million (14 lakh) officially registered pilgrims had arrived in Mecca, with more likely to arrive in the coming days.
Authorities barred the entry of nearly 2.7 lakh pilgrims under a crackdown on unauthorised access, officials were quoted as saying by Associated Press news agency on Sunday.
Officials underlined that the effort was a part of a broader initiative to reduce overcrowding and boost safety of the pilgrims during their visit. The Saudi government has identified unauthorised participants as a crucial reason behind last year’s heat-related deaths.
‘Anyone who disobeys is in our hands’
By Sunday, 14 lakh officially registered pilgrims had reached Mecca. More pilgrims are likely to arrive in the next few days. But, the large number of people turned away shows the mammoth number of people wishing to take part in the Hajj, one of the most sacred obligations in Islam.
Stringent steps are being taken to prevent unauthorised access and participation. These measures include fines up to $5,000, deportation, and other penalties. Saudi citizens and residents are not spared from these rules.
At a press conference in Mecca, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Omari spoke about the enforcement efforts. He said, “The pilgrim is in our sight, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands.”
Officials revealed that over 23,000 residents have already been penalised for flouting Hajj rules. Licenses of 400 Hajj service companies have also been revoked, they said.
