Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — The Umrah Security Forces reiterated that those who do not have permits for Umrah and prayers will be barred from entering the Grand Mosque in Makkah during Ramadan. Security and traffic safety measures have been beefed up in the holy city on the advent of Ramadan. Addressing a press conference held on Monday, commanders of the Umrah Security Forces briefed on the elaborate security plans at the Two Holy Mosques during the fasting month. They also explained that the public security plan is based on several organizational, security, humanitarian, and health axes aimed at maintaining security in the Grand Mosque. The commanders also referred to the imposition of fines against those who attempt to perform Umrah or trying to enter the Grand Mosque without a permit. The Ministry of Interior warned last Thursday that hefty fines will be slapped on those who enter Makkah to perform Umrah or prayer at the Grand Mosque without a valid permit during the month of Ramadan. "Anyone who is caught while entering Makkah to perform Umrah without a permit will face a fine of SR10,000 while anyone who enters Makkah to perform prayer at the Grand Mosque without a permit will have to pay a fine of SR1,000," an official source at the ministry had said. Maj. Gen. Muhammad Al-Ahmedi, assistant commander of the Public Security Forces for the security of the Grand Mosque, said that a plan was prepared for ensuring public security and it is based on several organizational, security, humanitarian, and health aspects, aimed at maintaining security in the Grand Mosque by intensifying the presence of security men and activating the role of women forces. Al-Ahmedi explained that the plan has a major goal that is to facilitate pilgrims and worshipers to perform their rituals amid with precautionary measures and preventive protocols. There are four parking lots for pilgrims and worshipers to reach Makkah and from there, they can catch buses to reach near the courtyards of the Grand Mosque, he added.
