Hajj 2021: More than 50 people apprehended in Saudi Arabia for breaking Hajj SOPs

As many as 52 people were apprehended on Monday for violating the regulations and instructions set for Hajj pilgrims.

According to the prescribed legal measures, each one of the 52 pilgrims will be fined SAR 10,000.

Hajj Security Forces Command Brigadier Sami Al Shuwairekh urged all citizens and residents to follow the Hajj season’s directives.

He emphasised that until the end of 13 Zil Hijj 1442H, security officers will enforce the laws against anybody attempting to enter the Holy Mosque, its surrounding central area, or the holy sites (Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat) without a permit.

Just 60,000 people, all citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia, have been selected to take part in this year’s hajj, with foreign pilgrims again barred.

Replacing Kiswa

The Kaaba cloth (Kiswa) was replaced last night.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the specified team from the General Administration of King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba dismantled the old kiswa and installed the new one, then installed it in the corners and surface of the Kaaba.

Deputy Head of the General Presidency for the Grand Mosque Affairs Dr Saad bin Mohammad Al-Mohaimeed said, in a statement, that the Kaaba cloth was made of 670kg of high-quality silk, 120kg of gold threads, and 100kg of silver threads.

As many as 200 Saudi craftsmen were engaged in producing the black curtain at King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa, Al Mohaimeed said.