Zahrani, Acting Director of Makkah's Passports Department, has denied that persons failing to register their fingerprints before May 25 will be fined. Al-Zahrani moved to dispel rumors that had caused large number of residents to head for fingerprinting offices, adding that fingerprinting only concerns procedures to obtain exit and re-entry visas, and that it does not include dependents. “The rumors have led to overcrowding at fingerprinting centers in Jeddah,” Al-Zahrani said during a tour of the centers. Considerable overcrowding on Tuesday morning this week, he added, was due to a malfunction in the system. Al-Zahrani also moved to meet criticisms of understaffing. “The centers have been operating for a year and a half,” he said. “The four centers in Jeddah, which include a mobile one, have received per day between 800 and 1,000 persons, that is 200 people at each one, even before the decision was put into effect.” “The centers have received more than 3,400 visitors, equaling around 1,000 each, within the last few days, which has put a lot of pressure on Passports Department centers,” Al
