Over 1.8 Million International Pilgrims Arrive In Saudi

Jeddah, August 8 (ANTARA) - The Saudi Arabian government has welcomed 1.8 million pilgrims looking to start the Hajj ritual processions this weekend, according to the latest statistics released by the Saudi Directorate General of Passports on Wednesday, (Aug 7). At a press conference here, Wednesday (Aug 7), Director General of Passport, Major General Sulaiman Al Yahya noted that 1,838,339 pilgrims had arrived from abroad via airport, land, and sea. Most pilgrims arrived aboard flights. "The Directorate General of Passports provides a sophisticated system and technology to ensure that the accuracy of passport checking for each pilgrim upon arrival is done in quick time," he remarked. The Hajj pilgrimage will be held from Friday, August 9, to Wednesday, August 14. Over two million people, including Saudis and expatriates living in this country, are expected to arrive in the holy cities of Mecca and Madinah to perform the pilgrimage this year. In 2018, the total number of international and domestic pilgrims had reached 2.37 million, of which over 1.75 million were from abroad. This number increased as compared to 2.35 million international and domestic pilgrims in 2017. According to official calculation on Wednesday, 1,725,455 pilgrims from abroad arrived in Saudi by airplane, 95,634 pilgrims came by land, and 17,250 people arrived via Saudi’s sea ports. Of the figure, the international pilgrims this year reached 969,726, with over 53 percent being men and 868,613, or nearly 47 percent, being women, Major General Yahya noted. According to Yahya, the number of pilgrims will increase in the coming days. Major General Yahya highlighted key regulations, such as the strict forbiddance of illegal transport of pilgrims without a permit. He noted that 24 persons were, so far, stopped from attempting to transport 96 people illegally, while 300 cases of fake visas were also unearthed. A fine of 10,000 Saudi riyals was applicable for each pilgrim unlawfully transported, while a 15-day imprisonment is the penalty for first-time violators. For a second breach, violators will be fined 25,000 riyals for each pilgrim unlawfully transported, and they face two months’ imprisonment. Upon a third violation, the fine will reach 50,000 riyals for every pilgrim, with a jail term of six months, and a demand to confiscate via a judicial adjudication the vehicle that was used to transport the pilgrims. Additionally, if the offender is an expatriate, then that person will be deported once the sentence has been served and will be permanently barred from returning to Saudi Arabia. Major General Yahya urged all international pilgrims to abide by the period specified for their departure after performing Hajj, which is determined by their respective visa guidelines.