Saudi Arabia Prohibits Photography and Flags in the Holy Sites
The Saudi Ministry of Interior confirmed on Tuesday the prohibition of photography, political and sectarian flags, and chants in all forms at the holy sites.
In a statement, the ministry added that “as part of the instructions for the Hajj season, starting from the morning of the fifth day until the end of the thirteenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, all types of vehicles are prohibited from entering the holy sites. This does not apply to licensed transportation for pilgrims and vehicles for authorized supervisors and service personnel.”
The Saudi Ministry of Interior further stated that “all types of vehicles are prohibited from transporting anyone who does not possess a Hajj permit or a work or residence permit to Mecca and the holy sites. Violating vehicles will be confiscated, and legal action will be taken for their seizure, along with penalties against their drivers and anyone found to be involved in the misuse.”
The ministry also emphasized the need to refrain from igniting any flame sources and from bringing or using any cooking stoves, as the use or introduction of liquefied petroleum gas is prohibited in the holy areas.
Additionally, the ministry stressed that “all types of trucks are prohibited from transporting livestock to the holy city and the holy sites, with the exception of trucks approved by the Kingdom’s Project for the Benefit of Hadi and Sacrifices, which carry a veterinary inspection certificate confirming that the transported livestock have been examined at centers affiliated with the Ministry of Environment at the entrances to Mecca.”
General Security Director Muhammad Al-Bassami, head of the Security Committee for Hajj, revealed on Sunday that public security teams had expelled over 205,000 individuals from Mecca for attempting to perform Hajj without a permit, announcing new legislation to deal with violators during the Hajj season.
