Three and a quarter lakh people from India
Three and a quarter lakh people from India have come to Makkah for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. It is estimated that more than 20 lakh pilgrims, including natives, will participate in the Hajj this year. The Indian pilgrims will reach Mina by tonight under the supervision of around 700 officials under the Indian Hajj Mission. They will travel to Mina by buses. There are thumps for Indian pilgrims in Mina. This time 11252 pilgrims including 4232 men and 6899 women have come from Kerala for Hajj.
Sick pilgrims were brought to Mecca
The authorities provided an opportunity for 16 foreign Haj pilgrims who were undergoing treatment in hospitals after reaching Madinah as part of the Haj pilgrimage. They were brought to hospitals in Makkah for Hajj in special ambulances accompanied by medical staff. Madinah governorate said 27 ambulances and seven support vehicles were used to transport the pilgrims to Makkah. The Ministry of Health said that a special bus and a mobile clinic were in the fleet for those accompanying the patients.
Penalty for bringing pilgrims without permit
Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) fined several people who were caught transporting pilgrims without Hajj permits. From June 22, entry into Mecca without a Hajj permit was prohibited. Jawasat’s seasonal administrative committees take action against those who enter Makkah illegally. The vehicles used to transport them to Makkah will be seized. Apart from fine, this is an offense punishable with imprisonment of up to six months. Officials informed that the maximum fine amount will be 50,000 Riyals. The authorities also clarified that after jail sentence and fine, non-resident transporters will be deported and re-entry into the country will be prohibited.
The person who sold fake Bali coupons was arrested
Makkah police arrested a Saudi youth who sold fake Bali coupons through social media. According to the police, fake bali coupons and seals and a part of the money earned by selling fake bali coupons were seized from him. He was handed over to public prosecution for further proceedings. The Department of Public Safety has warned not to get caught in the advertisements of fake agencies that come with promises related to performing Hajj for others, performing sacrifices for pilgrims, distributing sacrificial meat, selling Hajj bracelets, arranging transportation to go to holy places, etc. The Department of Public Safety has asked everyone to report such advertisements through social media and fake Hajj organizations by contacting 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and Eastern Provinces and 999 in other provinces.
Bali coupon rate is 720 riyals
Officials informed that the Bali coupon rate for this year has been fixed at 720 Rials. Elaborate arrangements have been made for coupon sales. Coupons can be obtained through the project website (www.adahi.org), e-track for Hajj pilgrims, platforms of charitable societies, Saudi Post, some banks, AlUthaim store branches and domestic Hajj service company coordination committee. The target is to sell more than one million coupons this year. Under the scheme, seven centers for goat sacrifice and one center for camel and cow sacrifice have been set up at the holy places, officials said.
Stay away from political campaigns
Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, appealed to the pilgrims to refrain from political propaganda during the Hajj pilgrimage. Part of respecting the holiness of God is to stay away from everything that is detrimental to the pilgrimage. Hajj is a time of prayers and worship. Grand Mufti said that there is no place for politics, hatred and slogans. He urged the pilgrims to perform Hajj with a sincere heart following the Prophet’s practices and glorifying God. He said that it is part of glorifying the sanctities of God that the pilgrims should cooperate with the authorities concerned in implementing all the restrictions and schemes put in place only to facilitate the movement of the pilgrims and their peace and comfort.
