Over 70000 illegal pilgrims denied entry to Mecca

More than 70,000 pilgrims have been denied entry to Mecca for not having pilgrimage licenses, while 73 vehicles carrying them have been confiscated, according to Saudi News Agency. The drivers of those vehicles have been arrested, while 61 cases of licence forgery have been found, Commander of Passport Forces for Hajj, Brigadier Ayedh Al Harbi, told the agency. He said nine reception centers and five checkpoints have been set up at the entrances to Mecca to prohibit unlicensed pilgrims or those violating the Saudi residency regulations from entering the holy city to perform Hajj. Al Harbi highlighted that there are 17 points that receive pilgrims coming by air, sea and land throughout the day, and that those points are equipped with sufficient facilities to ease their entries.