Saudi- Entry points reinforced to net illegal pilgrims

(MENAFN- Arab News) JEDDAH: Jeddah police have closed all entry points into Makkah to prevent undocumented pilgrims from entering the holy city during this year's Haj in a bid to prevent overcrowding that could lead to health and safety problems.
Officials have taken action because the Grand Mosque and other parts of the holy sites are still not ready to accommodate millions of extra pilgrims for the pilgrimage.
The security agencies have intensified operations by deploying undercover police officers to several desert and mountain areas where illegal pilgrims find roads to enter Makkah.
They have blocked several of these entry points between Makkah and Jeddah to prevent drivers from transporting unlicensed pilgrims. Many people use their personal vehicles to transport these pilgrims making huge profits at this time of the year. Most smuggling attempts are made when pilgrims start moving to Mina or Arafat.
Maj. Gen. Masoud bin Faisal Al-Oudwaini Jeddah's police chief recently held a meeting with various security agencies to ensure arrangements are in place to close all desert and mountain roads leading to Makkah.
He warned that people should not break the law by transporting unlicensed pilgrims into the city. Those failing to abide by the regulations would be penalized severely he was quoted as saying by a local publication.
The Haj permit system was introduced to prevent pilgrims from flooding into the holy sites placing a strain on resources and services and causing security and safety problems. Citizens and expatriates are only allowed to perform Haj once every five years and there are quotas in place for every country.