'No Hajj Without a Permit:' Saudi employs drones to curb unauthorised pilgrims

Gulf Today Report

Saudi authorities are employing innovative technologies particularly drones for surveillance to prevent the infiltration of unauthorised pilgrims into Makkah during Hajj this year.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is employing state-of-the-art technologies to boost its efforts in identifying illegal pilgrims ahead of the Hajj, foreign media reported.

Saudi officials welcome a pilgrim upon his arrival at Jeddah Airport. SPA

The General Directorate of Public Security of Saudi Arabia has also released a video showcasing a drone equipped with a high-resolution camera monitoring violators and vehicles attempting to transport unauthorized pilgrims without the mandatory official permits, commonly known as the Nusuk Card, the foreign media further said.

As part of the high-profile campaign “No Hajj Without a Permit,” Saudi security authorities are conducting a rigorous crackdown on illegal pilgrims and against their facilitators.

The released footage shows a drone identifying a suspicious vehicle in the desert, suspected of carrying undocumented pilgrims. The drone relayed the vehicle’s coordinates to security patrols, who promptly apprehended the violators.

Meanwhile, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Religious Ministry Muhammad Umar Butt while praising Saudi authorities’ this initiative said, “Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modernising the pilgrimage experience through innovative technology demonstrates their dedication to ensuring pilgrims’ comfort and convenience.”