Hajj Permits

Saudi Arabia is cracking down on those of its guest workers who perform the hajj with proper documentation:

"Expatriate workers heading for annual pilgrimage without Haj permits will be deported, according to Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al Faisal.

"He said teams of security officers would be deployed in Makkah and other holy sites to look for pilgrims who do not possess Haj permits, and added that such illegal pilgrims would be slapped with deterrent fines...

"Prince Khaled called on Saudi sponsors and employers to instruct their workers intending to perform Haj to follow regulations and get Haj permits.

"Thousands of Saudis and expatriates perform Haj every year without obtaining a Haj permit and without contracting with Haj service agents. They sleep in public places, especially in the pedestrian path between Mina and Muzdalifah and around the stoning area of Jamarat in Mina.

"A concerted awareness campaign would be carried out through the media to enlighten Saudis and expatriates on the importance of obtaining Haj permits and following government instructions to ensure smooth operation of the Haj."

In fairness to Saudi Arabia on this point, the hajj is a major circus and logistical nightmare which that government has to control. They have a right to impose regulations necessary to see that they can do so.