Saudi Arabia Bans Photos and Flags at Hajj: New Rules for 2025 Pilgrimage

In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Interior specified that this ban is in effect from the fifth day until the end of the thirteenth day of the month of Dhul-Hijja. Vehicles are also prohibited from accessing the holy sites, except for those authorized to transport pilgrims, or those of supervisors, employees, and services that have received express authorization, the note adds, stressing the formal prohibition of transporting any person who does not have a permit for the Hajj, or a residence or work permit to Mecca and the holy sites.

The offenders will be subject to sanctions and their vehicles will be seized, the ministry warned, calling for abstaining from igniting any source of flame or using cooking stoves or liquefied gas in the holy sites, in order to preserve public safety. The statement also informs that it is forbidden to transport livestock to Mecca and the holy sites by truck, except for authorized trucks for the transport of animals intended for the Hajj and sacrifice, and holders of a veterinary control certificate.

Furthermore, more than 205,000 people have been expelled from Mecca for attempting to perform the Hajj without a permit, said the director of Saudi public security and chairman of the Hajj security committee, General Mohammad Al-Bassami.