The Passports Department is set to launch a campaign against Haj overstayers in Makkah on Saturday. The move has come after the expiry of the extended deadline of Jan. 17 after several pilgrims missed the initial cut-off date of Jan. 12 citing weather conditions, flight reservation problems or hospitalization in Makkah, Madina and Jeddah. Col. Ayidh Al-Luqmani, Chief of Makkah Passports Department, said the patrols in vehicles and on foot will crack down on overstayers. Several locations where the overstayers are believed to be hiding have been identified, he said. Al-Luqmani called upon citizens and expatriates to cooperate with the department in reporting overstayers. According to information received, the highest percentage of overstayers is among African pilgrims particularly Egyptian and Nigerian followed by Asians specifically Indonesian and Bangladeshi pilgrims. Al-Luqmani called upon all not to shelter violators of the residency (Iqama) regulations.
