Saudi Arabia Conducts Examination At 5 Points To Prevent Illegal Non-Hajj Visa Pilgrims

Illustration - Jamaah for Indonesian Hajj candidates when taking Miqat at Ali Beer, Medina, before leaving for Makkah. (ANTARA/MCH 2024)

MAKKAH - The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has tightened entry routes to Makkah Al Mukarramah by checking (check points) at five points, in order to prevent the entry of illegal pilgrims or non-hajj visa holders.

"So that the worship process at the peak of the hajj can run safely and smoothly," said the Head of the Saudi Arabia Hajj Organizing Officer (PPIH) Nasrullah Jassam, in Makkah, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, May 31.

According to him, the five checkpoints are on the way to Makkah both from Medina and Jeddah. Those who come from Jeddah will pass through two checkpoints.

"From Jeddah to Makkah, there are two (check points). So, first in Shumaidi and secondly, the usual check for Umrah people, in the Zaidi area," he said.

Nasrullah almost every day travels from Jeddah to Makkah. According to him, Saudi Arabia's security forces also always carry out examinations of him.

"Almost every day I go to Makkah. It's in Shumaisi that there is a check pointrutin from the Government of Saudi Arabia. Because I have a brash for Makkah's entry permit, it's not only shown the paper, but it's matched to the tools they have," he said.

If the permit he brought is in accordance with the tool, he continued, then he can only pass to Makkah. If it does not match, he said, it will usually be diverted outside the area.

"So we, who were in Saudi Arabia when we entered Makkah, received a fairly strict examination, and were examined every day," said Nasrullah.

Meanwhile, the Medina-Makkah route is even stricter. Because the congregation had to pass three checkpoints, namely in the area after Dzul Hulaifah (Bir Ali), midway to Medina-Makkah, and in the Jumum area.

"From Medina, even since taking Miqat at Ali's beer, it has been checked. Not to mention later several check points, maybe if I'm not mistaken there are three," he said.