Why did Saudi Arabia block nearly 2.7 lakh Muslims from entering Mecca for Hajj?
Saudi Arabia has stopped about 2.7 lakh people trying to enter Mecca without permission during Hajj 2025 for important reasons like security and crowd management. This move has sparked discussion around the world, as Hajj is a major religious event of Islam, in which millions of Muslims reach Mecca every year. Let us understand this news in detail why the Saudi government took this strict step and what are the reasons behind it.
First reason: Crowd management and security
Saudi Arabia has taken this step keeping in mind the accidents that happened during Hajj last year. In 2024, about 1,300 pilgrims died due to extreme heat and uncontrolled crowd, most of whom were travelers without permits. Saudi officials say that people performing Hajj without permission make the crowd uncontrolled, increasing the risk of stampede and other accidents. This time, only authorized pilgrims are being allowed to enter Mecca during the Hajj period (14 June to 19 June 2025). The Saudi Home Ministry clarified that strict action will be taken against those entering Mecca without a valid Hajj permit from 29 April to 10 June.
Second reason: Strict visa rules and fines
The Saudi government has further tightened the visa rules for Hajj. Under the new rules, those trying to perform Hajj without a permit may face severe punishment such as a fine of up to 20,000 Saudi riyals (about Rs 4.5 lakh) and deportation. Apart from this, those who help unauthorized travelers reach Mecca, such as providing transportation or accommodation, can also be fined up to 1 lakh riyals. Saudi authorities have temporarily banned Hajj visas for 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, to prevent unauthorized entry. The move targets those who attempt to join the Hajj using tourist or other visas.
Third reason: Limited capacity of facilities
Facilities in and around Mecca's holy sites can only accommodate 2-3 million pilgrims. There are currently about 1.4 million authorized pilgrims in Mecca, and that number is expected to rise in the coming days. The Saudi government says unauthorized travelers cause additional pressure on facilities, which poses a risk to the safety and health of pilgrims. Heat-related deaths last year have made the government even more cautious, as pilgrims without permits often travel with inadequate resources, increasing the risk to their lives.
Fourth reason: International pressure and quota system
Saudi Arabia sets Hajj quotas based on each country's Muslim population, with one seat given per 1,000 Muslims. This year the quota for India has been increased from 1,75,000 to 1,85,000, with 10,000 additional passengers allowed. However, the Saudi government has taken a tough stand on the problem of quota abuse by some countries and unauthorized passengers. Pakistan in particular has been warned that strict action will be taken against those violating the rules.
Conclusion: A balanced approach
This move by Saudi Arabia has been taken to ensure the safety of pilgrims and smooth conduct of Hajj. However, it has caused some discontent among Muslim communities in India and other countries, as many try to perform Hajj without permits. The Saudi government has also released digital guides in 16 languages to make pilgrims aware so that people follow the rules. This move is not only to maintain the sanctity of Hajj but also to ensure that all pilgrims can complete their religious journey in a safe and dignified manner.