Saudi Arabia has announced that individuals performing Hajj without a permit will face fines of up to 20,000 riyals (approximately $5,300), as part of efforts to ensure the safety and regulation of the pilgrimage.

This announcement comes as millions of Muslims prepare to gather in Makkah for the annual religious observance, which is scheduled to take place from June 4 to June 9 this year.

The Ministry of Interior stated that foreigners in Saudi Arabia on visit visas who attempt to access Makkah or the holy sites during Hajj without the necessary permit will be subject to the hefty fine.

This policy reinforces the requirement for foreign pilgrims to obtain special permission to perform the sacred rites, a regulation aimed at managing the large influx of visitors.

In addition to the fines for unauthorized pilgrims, severe penalties will also be imposed on individuals facilitating such breaches.

Anyone who applies for a visit visa for a person planning to attend Hajj without proper authorization may face fines up to 100,000 riyals.

Additionally, transport and accommodation providers who assist unauthorized pilgrims will also incur similar penalties.

The Ministry has indicated that foreign nationals caught violating these regulations will be deported and barred from re-entering Saudi Arabia for a decade.

These measures reflect ongoing attempts to maintain order during the pilgrimage, which is one of the largest mass gatherings in the world and a central tenet of Islamic practice.

Hajj, recognized as the fifth pillar of Islam, is obligatory for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to undertake the journey at least once in their lifetime.

It draws millions of participants annually, highlighting Islamic faith and unity.

A quota system for Hajj pilgrims was first introduced in 1987, with member nations of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation agreeing to limit the number of participants from each country to 0.1 percent of its population.

This system has been implemented to help manage the significant challenges posed by the vast number of worshippers, including recent tragedies that have led to hundreds of fatalities from stampedes, tent fires, and other accidents during past events.

In response to these incidents, the Saudi government has invested in infrastructure enhancements to improve safety and accessibility for pilgrims.