Khbrani - The first convoys of Jordanian pilgrims set off for the Holy Lands this Friday, according to a comprehensive plan developed by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs to ensure the best services are provided for the pilgrims from their departure from the kingdom until their return.
The Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Mohammed Al-Khalaileh, will sponsor the dispatch ceremony of the Jordanian pilgrims to the Holy Lands from the Pilgrims City of Giza, south of the capital Amman, on Saturday.
The Ministry of Awqaf annually holds a farewell ceremony to honor the pilgrims of the Holy House of God, given the great significance and status of this occasion in Islam, and as part of the ministry's commitment to provide comprehensive care and guidance for the pilgrims, from the moment they leave their homeland until their safe return.
Security and Humanitarian Plan
The Residence and Borders Administration has begun implementing its procedures aimed at serving the pilgrims of the Holy House of God, within the context of a comprehensive security and humanitarian plan executed by the Public Security Directorate to facilitate their departure, reception, and until their exit, providing the best services during this period to all pilgrims, including citizens, residents, and brethren from neighboring countries.
The Director of the Residence and Borders Administration, Brigadier Saied Al-Qatawneh, stated that under direct instructions from the General Director of Public Security, Major General Obeidallah Al-Maaytah, they started implementing the plan in coordination with the units of the Public Security Directorate and its various formations, especially at the centers and border crossings which have been reinforced with qualified human resources, technical equipment, and necessary vehicles.
Brigadier Al-Qatawneh explained that the security and administrative plan includes providing medical services when needed through the Civil Defense personnel and securing external patrols for security escort, in addition to simplifying procedures inside the border centers, swift processing of transactions, and responding to the large and increasing numbers of Jordanian pilgrims and brethren from Egypt, Syria, and Palestine who are passing through the kingdom by land.
He indicated that these efforts are made in coordination with the Public Security Directorate’s partners from various state institutions, such as the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, among other ministries and national institutions, and agencies operating at border points, enhancing the quality of services provided with high efficiency and professionalism.
He noted that the specialized staff welcomed, on Thursday evening, more than 800 Egyptian pilgrims arriving through the Nuweiba port, providing them with hospitality and necessary security facilitations in the presence of several Jordanian officers and representatives from the Egyptian embassy.
The Public Security Directorate reaffirms its commitment and continual work to serve the pilgrims of the Holy House of God, ensuring a safe and facilitated crossing environment, and providing everything that facilitates their performance of Hajj rituals, and their safe return, God willing.
Penalty for Violators
The General Directorate of Passports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the arrival of 755,344 pilgrims through all international ports (air, land, and sea) to the kingdom until the end of Wednesday, within the Hajj season of this year 1446 AH.
The Passports clarified that the majority of the guests of the Merciful, totaling 725,297 pilgrims, came through air ports, while 27,225 pilgrims arrived through land ports, and 2,822 pilgrims through sea ports.
The General Directorate of Passports confirmed that it has mobilized all its capabilities to facilitate the entry procedures of the guests of the Merciful, through supporting its platforms at international ports with the latest technological devices, operated by qualified human cadres speaking various languages.
In a related context, the Saudi Ministry of Interior explained that visit visas of all types and names, except for the "Hajj visa," do not entitle the holder to perform the Hajj.
The Ministry in a statement conveyed by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), declared that a financial penalty of up to 20,000 Saudi Riyals will be applied to those holding any type of visit visa, or who attempt to enter Mecca and the holy sites or stay there, starting from the first day of the month of Dhu Al-Qi'dah until the end of the 14th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah. It will also deport violators who are residents and prevent them from entering the kingdom for a period of 10 years.
