The Kingdom’s intensive safety measures for this year’s hajj got ink from the international press, with the Financial Times and Bloomberg listing preparations made to host more than 1 mn pilgrims expected to gather in Makkah as temperatures approach 50°C.

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Authorities tightened security around the holy city, actively blocking unregistered pilgrims from entering, with fines doubled to USD 5k and a 10-year entry ban. The salmon-colored paper cited Saudi security officials reporting that over 269k people without permits were turned away, more than 23k residents were fined, and licenses of 400 hajj operators were revoked for violations.

The two news outlets highlighted the Hajj and Umrah Ministry’s linking safety directly to proper registration, with minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah telling the Financial Times “the permit means you receive a full package of transport and accommodation services, which ensures safety.” He also reiterated that pilgrims must arrive on a hajj visa — not a tourist or visit visa — to help authorities manage logistics and ensure pilgrims’ safety.

Bloomberg also shed light on the Kingdom’s ambitions to enrich the pilgrim experience in a bid to triple the hajj economy to about USD 350 bn by 2034. However, the Kingdom won’t increase the hajj quotas as it does not want to “risk the life of people and increase the number,” Al Rabiah told the business news service. The newswire cited officials saying that over 141k unauthorized pilgrims were treated during last year’s heat wave, leading the government to increase hospital bed capacity by 60% this year.

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