Khaled Al-Humaidi Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH – Vehicles carrying less than 25 pilgrims will not be allowed to enter Makkah from next week, a senior security official has said. “We secure legal means of transport for pilgrims to Makkah. Violators are handed over to the Passport Department to be deported according to the latest regulations that stipulate violators will not be allowed back into the Kingdom for a period of 10 years,” said Assistant Commander of Haj Security Forces for Traffic Affairs Maj. Gen. Abdulrahman Abdullah Al-Muqbil. “Penalties are imposed on cars and buses — SR1,500 on the driver of the violating vehicle at the gateway to Makkah, SR3,000 at the gateway to the holy sites and SR5,000 in the holy sites along with impounding the vehicle until the end of Haj (Dhul Hijja 13),” he said while adding that 541 vehicles have been impounded until now. “The Haj Security Forces for Traffic Affairs are implementing a plan to prevent the entry of violating cars and buses into Makkah and the holy sites from Oct. 1. Six security points have been approved for impounding violating vehicles: on Jeddah-Makkah Expressway, Taneem, Al-Leeth, Al-Kur, Al-Sayel and Al-Behaitah in Taif governorate.” Maj. Gen. Al-Muqbil said if pilgrims in the impounded vehicles have necessary Haj permits, a vehicle will be secured to transport them but violators of Haj regulations who want to perform Haj without permits will be referred to the Passport Department. He added that work has started at the newly-opened Al-Behaitah impoundment center where Traffic Department personnel are working alongside other security authorities under a unified command. A strict traffic campaign has begun in Makkah and the central area of the holy city to impound violating cars that carry passengers and old cars and buses without permits from the concerned authorities. Maj. Gen. Al-Muqbil called on all citizens and expatriates to comply with the directives of the Traffic Department with regard to transporting pilgrims.
