JEDDAH/MAKKAH, 13 December 2006— Passport officers at checkpoints on roads leading to Makkah have intensified inspection of expatriate pilgrims traveling to the holy city to make ensure that they have valid Haj permits. “We’ll allow only those people who carry authorized Haj permits to pass the checkpoints,” said a statement issued by the Directorate of the Passport Department.

The department urged drivers of taxis and public buses not to transport any pilgrim without permits. Violators will be punished in accordance with the law, it said, adding that the punishment includes jail sentences and SR10,000 fine.

Security officers at Shumaisy checkpoint on the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway said they were daily sending back over 1,000 buses and cars carrying people without Haj permits.

“We have taken this measure after learning that most expatriates intending to perform Haj without obtaining permits travel to Makkah several days before the actual start of the pilgrimage,” said Brig. Khaled Al-Harithy, commander of the checkpoint.

Pilgrims who squat at public places in the holy sites, especially in the shaded pedestrian road and in and around the Jamrat Bridge in Mina, have been blamed for causing many deadly accidents in the past.

The Passport Department has instructed employers not to allow their expatriate workers to perform Haj without permits.

Many people who were turned back from Shumaisy said they did not know the rule.

This is the first time expatriates without Haj permits have been prevented from entering Makkah two weeks before Haj. In the past, the measure was implemented from the beginning of Dul Hijjah.

Cleanup Crew

Various government departments have stepped up their preparations for the Haj. The Makkah Municipality has mobilized teams to clear gutters and roadways following recent rains, and will continue heightened maintenance during the Haj. Cleanup crews also focused on removing refuse from areas where pilgrims congregate, such as parking lots and entries into the holy city. The municipality also deployed a special team to inspect the drainage system and to clear it from garbage and sand left by rain. The municipality said it managed to collect 25,000 tons of garbage last month alone.

Jamrat Project

The first phase of the Jamrat Bridge project in Mina has been completed. “We are now putting the finishing touches and it will be finished within five days,” said Tarek Al-Shuaiby, an engineer working for Saudi Binladin Group that is implementing the SR4.2 billion high-tech project.

Haj Transport

Transportation of pilgrims is a big problem during Haj. Transport companies acquire new buses and recondition their old ones to ensure good services for the guests of God. This year, the Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) has readied more than 2,500 buses with 3,800 drivers for Haj operation.