Overstaying pilgrims are causing inhabitants of Makkah to leave their homes to escape “mountain thieves.” Primitive shacks have sprung up at the foot of Makkah's mountains to the consternation of residents of neighboring districts who say they have been left prey to a sharp rise in theft and trespassing. Residents of Al-Haj Street said their “suffering” from mountain-lodging overstayers was “exacerbating” on a daily basis. They said their houses were spied on constantly, while it had become common to find car windows smashed and belongings stolen from inside. The situation has reached such proportions that some Makkans are asking for a barbed-wire fence to be put round the mountain district. Rasheed Al-Maqati of Al-Adl Street said residents had registered complaints with Passport Department patrols, municipality authorities and the police, but that no action had yet been taken. “The number of these illegal residents is increasing and the solution is simply to put up barbed wire,” he said. Chief of the Passports Department patrols in Makkah, Captain Mansour Shahad Al-Otaibi, said several actions would be taken to address the problem. “Patrols are now focusing on Umrah overstayers who plan to stay until Haj,” he said. “The work will continue to deport all overstayers,” the official added. For some, the authorities' efforts will come too late. Hatim Al-Shaf'ee of Al-Kakiyah said most of the district's residents have left and the remaining ones are seriously contemplating following them. He said he himself would leave if he could afford it. – Okaz __
