Despite strict regulations to prevent pilgrims from embarking on Haj without a permit issued by the Passports Department, several pilgrims headed to Makkah with their families on Saturday evening. They were waiting under Al-Kandara overpass where Saudi drivers were offering them rides to Makkah in their private cars for SR150 to 200 per person. This price seemed to have been agreed upon by all the drivers, and it was impossible to find anyone who would take passengers for less than that. When asked how anyone could possibly take illegal pilgrims inside Makkah without going through the checkpoints, a driver told Saudi Gazette: “We take them by old road where we know how to sneak through.” Cars, mini buses and larger vehicles were creating a traffic jam in the area as they took hundreds of pilgrims on board.
