Egypt Tightens Measures to Prevent Another Crisis of Illegal Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Egypt Tightens Measures to Prevent Another Crisis of Illegal Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz meets with Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei in Riyadh. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egypt is intensifying its measures to prevent another crisis of illegal Hajj pilgrims, which had taken place in 2024 when thousands of people exploited visas to enter Saudi Arabia to illegally perform the Hajj.

Egyptian authorities had warned companies against flying travelers without the right visa. Coordination and communication are ongoing with Saudi authorities over the issue.

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received in Riyadh Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ehab Abou Srei for talks on the measures Cairo is taking ahead of the upcoming Hajj season to avoid another crisis.

Egypt has formed a committee, headed by the prime minister, to manage the Hajj crisis.

A statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said the ambassador stressed that firm measures will be taking against companies that commit violations related to the Hajj.

Last week, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi formed a “crisis cell” that has referred 16 officials from a tourism company to the general prosecution for Hajj violations.

Egyptian authorities have hailed Saudi Arabia for providing all forms of support to legal pilgrims during the Hajj.

Member of the parliamentary tourism committee Ahmed Idriss said state agencies have taken measures to avert a new Hajj crisis in 2025.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said efforts have focused on combating fake entities that claim to be organizing Hajj trips, and on coordinating with Saudi authorities to crackdown on violators.



Albudaiwi, Holds Separate Discussions with Guterres, Kallas on Latest Regional Issues

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
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Albudaiwi, Holds Separate Discussions with Guterres, Kallas on Latest Regional Issues

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi discussed developments in the Middle East and efforts to de-escalate tensions with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

During a phone call, the two sides reviewed a range of regional and international issues of mutual concern, with particular focus on the latest developments related to Israeli military operations targeting the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as ongoing efforts to promote de-escalation and enhance regional security and stability, SPA reported.

Albudaiwi reaffirmed the commitment of the GCC member states to supporting international and UN-led efforts, as reflected in the statement issued following the 48th Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council on regional developments.

The council underscored the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire to preserve regional security and stability. It also called on all parties to work collaboratively to de-escalate tensions, prioritize diplomacy as a constructive means of resolving conflicts, and exercise maximum restraint to shield the region and its people from the dangers of war.

For his part, Guterres praised the GCC’s positive role in supporting de-escalation efforts and promoting regional security. He emphasized the United Nations’ desire to strengthen cooperation with the GCC across various areas of shared priority.

Also, Albudaiwi discussed developments in the Middle East with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas during a phone call.

During their talks, they discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and international efforts to advance the peace process, in addition to exchanging views on ways to elevate regional and international coordination to foster security and stability in the region.

Both officials stressed the need to move forward in supporting de-escalation efforts in the region to achieve lasting peace in the region and the world.