A fine of 100,000 riyals for hosting visit visa holders.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed the imposition of a financial fine of up to 100,000 riyals against anyone who shelters holders of all types of visit visas in any place designated for residence (hotels, apartments, private housing, shelters, pilgrim housing sites, and others), or covers up for them.

The Ministry added that the same fine applies to anyone who provides any assistance to them that leads to their staying in the city of Mecca and the holy sites starting from today (Thursday) until the end of the 14th day of the month of Dhul Hijjah. Fines multiply with the number of violators who are sheltered, covered up, or assisted.

The Ministry urged everyone to comply with the regulations organizing this year’s Hajj season and to cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure the security and safety of the guests of the Most Merciful, stressing that violating these regulations exposes perpetrators to legal penalties.

It called for promptly reporting any violations via number 911 in the regions of Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and number 999 in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions.

Mecca

Mecca, located in modern-day Saudi Arabia, is the holiest city in Islam and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. Historically a key trading hub, it became the spiritual center of the Muslim world after Muhammad’s revelations in the 7th century. Today, millions of Muslims visit annually for the Hajj pilgrimage, circling the Kaaba—a sacred structure believed to have been built by Abraham and his son Ishmael.

Holy Sites

The term “holy sites” refers to locations of profound religious significance, often associated with major events in a faith’s history or the life of a revered figure. These sites, such as Jerusalem’s Western Wall, Mecca’s Kaaba, or India’s Varanasi ghats, have served as centers for pilgrimage, worship, and cultural identity for centuries. Their histories often involve ancient traditions, conflicts, and preservation efforts that continue to shape global spiritual and political landscapes.

Mecca

Mecca, located in modern-day Saudi Arabia, is the holiest city in Islam and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. It has been a major religious center since pre-Islamic times, housing the Kaaba—a sacred structure Muslims believe was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. Today, it is the destination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which millions of Muslims undertake as a key religious duty.

Kaaba

The Kaaba is a cube-shaped structure located in the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is the most sacred site in Islam. According to Islamic tradition, it was originally built by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael as a house of monotheistic worship, and it has been a focal point for pilgrimage for centuries. Muslims around the world face the Kaaba during their daily prayers, and it serves as the spiritual heart of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Medina

Medina is a city in western Saudi Arabia, revered as the second holiest city in Islam after Mecca. It was the home of the Prophet Muhammad after his migration (Hijra) in 622 CE, and it is where the first Muslim community was established, centered around the Prophet’s

Mecca

Mecca, located in Saudi Arabia, is the holiest city in Islam and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. It is home to the Masjid al-Haram, which contains the Kaaba, the most sacred site toward which Muslims pray. Historically, Mecca has been a major center for pilgrimage (Hajj) for over 1,400 years, drawing millions of Muslims annually.

Kaaba

The Kaaba is a sacred cube-shaped building located in the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is the holiest site in Islam. According to Islamic tradition, it was originally built by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael as a monotheistic house of worship, though it was later used for polytheistic practices before being rededicated to the worship of one God by the Prophet Muhammad in 630 CE. Muslims around the world face the Kaaba during their daily prayers, and it serves as the focal point for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Medina

Medina, located in western Saudi Arabia, is the second holiest city in Islam after Mecca, renowned as the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad. It was originally known as Yathrib before becoming a refuge for the Prophet and his followers during the Hijra in 622 CE, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar. Today, the city is centered around the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque), a major pilgrimage site that attracts millions of visitors each year.

Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque, also known as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, is one of the world’s largest and most stunning mosques, completed in 2007. It was commissioned by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, to unite the world’s diverse Islamic cultures through its architectural design, which blends Mamluk, Ottoman, and Fatimid styles. The mosque features 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, and the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, serving as a major center for worship and cultural exchange.

Hajj

The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lifetime if physically and financially able. Its origins trace back to the Prophet Abraham, who, according to Islamic tradition, built the Kaaba with his son Ishmael, and the rituals reenact events from their lives. Today, it is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, drawing millions of pilgrims from diverse backgrounds to stand together in prayer and unity.

holy sites

“Holy sites” are locations revered for their religious or spiritual significance, often serving as centers of pilgrimage, worship, and cultural identity. These sites, such as Jerusalem’s Western Wall, Mecca’s Kaaba, or India’s Varanasi ghats, hold deep historical roots, frequently tied to ancient traditions, prophetic events, or sacred texts. Their preservation and continued use reflect the enduring role of faith in shaping human history and community life.

Western Wall

The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, is a remnant of the Second Temple complex in Jerusalem’s Old City, destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. For centuries, it has been the holiest Jewish prayer site, symbolizing resilience and connection to the ancient Temple. Today, it remains a major pilgrimage destination where visitors place written prayers in its crevices.

Varanasi ghats

The Varanasi ghats are a series of steps leading down to the Ganges River in the ancient city of Varanasi, India, serving as a central hub for Hindu spiritual life and rituals. These historic ghats, many dating back centuries, are believed to be sacred sites where pilgrims perform ceremonial baths, prayers, and cremations, most notably at the Manikarnika and Dashashwamedh ghats. The ghats embody a continuous tradition of worship and death rituals that have been practiced for over 2,000 years, making them a profound symbol of the cycle of life and liberation in Hinduism.