STRICTLY implementing the rule of no Haj without permit was for sure a factor, after the will of God, in the successful Haj season this year. Having a controlled estimate of the number of pilgrims performing Haj helps the authorities in organizing and providing adequate services to pilgrims. The huge progress of the travel industry in the last two decades has eased international travel and turned the world into a global village, accessible from any corner of the earth in a few hours. This has without doubt increased the number of pilgrims performing Haj every year. The biggest challenge Saudi authorities face is the limitation of space for the ever-growing number of pilgrims every year. Without doubt, the expansion projects and huge investment into infrastructure are on the roll, but they will take a while to get completed. ‘No Haj without permit' was a rule to bring about order and to ensure the pilgrims do their Haj safely. Though this was a successful attempt when compared to the previous years, some 480,000 pilgrims, according to official statistics, still managed to sneak in without permits. Half a million is a huge number. It shows some pilgrims were either not aware or did not bother to care for the rules. The rules are in best interest of the pilgrims. The authorities know the holy sites have fixed borders and understand the complications tied with it, and if the number of pilgrims exceeds the capacity it can hold, things may go out of control and disasters could happen. For the next year's Haj, the authorities should make sure all escape routes to Makkah are sealed. In addition to implementing the rule strictly, they must also educate Muslims worldwide on the challenges they face and why it is important to have a Haj permit. A sense of responsibility among people will have a deeper impact and produce better results. __
