Over 2,69,000 blocked from entering Mecca without permit ahead of Hajj, say Saudi officials

Saudi authorities have stopped more than 269,000 people without Hajj permits from entering Mecca, officials announced on Sunday, as part of a sweeping crackdown to enforce rules ahead of this year’s pilgrimage.The Interior Ministry said the clampdown aims to reduce overcrowding and prevent a repeat of last year’s heat-related tragedies, which it partly blamed on unauthorized pilgrims. The Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, is expected to draw over 1.4 million people to Mecca in the coming days, but only those with valid permits are allowed to participate.“There is no leniency. The pilgrim is in our sight, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands,” Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Omari said at a press briefing.Authorities have imposed fines of up to $5,000 on violators, including Saudi citizens and residents. Over 23,000 Saudi residents have already been penalized, and licenses of 400 Hajj tour operators have been revoked for regulatory breaches.Despite the strict measures, the scale of attempted unauthorized entries reveals the deep demand to participate in the religious rites. Performing Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for able Muslims, but the event is tightly regulated due to safety concerns.In recent years, the pilgrimage has faced increasing challenges from extreme heat. Officials have responded by deploying drones for the first time this year — not only for surveillance but also for monitoring crowd movements and even extinguishing fires, Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense confirmed.Stampedes, accidents, and heat exhaustion have historically posed risks at the Hajj, which sees millions performing rituals over five days.