The Ministry of Haj and Makkah governorate have launched a joint campaign to dissuade local pilgrims from going for the Haj without permits. Newly installed hoardings and electronic billboards in Jeddah now warn pilgrims against performing the Haj without valid papers. One sign on Tahliya Street advises pilgrims heading for the holy sites to take a U-turn if they are violating the “No permit no Haj” rule. Nov. 27 is the deadline for obtaining Haj permits from the Passports Department, through licensed Haj service providers. Individual requests will not be entertained. For a permit, the pilgrim needs a copy of his residence permit (Iqama), and a letter of approval from his sponsor. The permits are restricted to those who have not performed the Haj during the last five years. A Haj ministry official told Saudi Gazette that those violating the permit rule would be penalized. “Earlier pilgrims used to sneak through the security cordon. But that is now a thing of the past,” he said, warning that “violators will be severely punished.” Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also Chairman of the Central Haj Committee, has said that the awareness campaign aims to prevent illegal pilgrims and to bar unauthorized vehicles from entering Makkah. – SG __
