The moving of a checkpoint at the gateway to Makkah is causing concern among local residents who fear that “non-Muslims may be able to sneak into the holy city.” Locals say that the new location of the checkpoint at Sharaie is too far from the non-Muslim exit point leading to Taif, which may enable them to evade the attentions of security authorities. Makkah resident Makhled Al-Qurshi says the checkpoint is also too small. “Security men won't be able to check the large numbers of people and worshippers who enter Makkah throughout the year,” Al-Qurshi told Al-Watan Arabic newspaper. “The closure of the exit leading to King Abdul Aziz Sport City as well as the Taif Al-Sail Road which was used by people heading to Al-Wadi Al-Akhdr will also make the infiltration of non-Muslims to Makkah easier,” he added. Residents are asking Road Security Special Forces to return the checkpoint to its former location. Zaid Al-Harithy, Director of the Road Security Special Forces Administration, said the new location was selected by General Security after careful study. “The location makes it easier for security officials to intercept traffickers and violators. We have already sent back some non-Muslims back to Al-Zema Bridge after they tried to sneak into Makkah,” Al-Harithy said. Muhammed Abu Suleiman, professor of Hadith at Taif University, told Al-Watan that all precautionary measures must be taken by security forces to prevent non-Muslims from entering Makkah. “Some, out of curiosity, will never stop trying,” Abu Suleiman said. __
