Jeddah: The General Directorate of Passports announced on Monday that around 1,735,391 Hajj Pilgrims have reached from far lands to perform the fifth pillar of Islam.
In a press conference held in Jeddah, Maj. Gen. Sulaiman Al-Yahya said that the number of pilgrims coming by air was 1,631,979; 88,585 by land; and 14,585 by sea. He said that the Saudi leadership was keen on facilitating the entrance of pilgrims by land, sea, and air, according to a news report by Arab news.
He added that the directorate has set up a plan to process pilgrims on their arrival and is using advanced technical devices to ensure speed and accuracy in the arrival procedures of every pilgrim.
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Special administrative committees were formed and are currently located at the entrances of Makkah, notably in Ash Shimaisi, Taniim, Bouhaita and Karr, he added.
“The directorate is also getting ready for the second phase of Hajj in the coming days regarding the departure of the guests of Allah and their safe return to their homeland,” he said.
He also called upon foreign pilgrims not to overstay their Hajj visa so they will not be detained, interrogated or punished.