Pilgrims are not safe due to the strict security controls imposed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman (MBS) on guests of the Almighty. Political opponents of the dictatorial regimes in Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, and other countries are targeted upon their arrival to perform Hajj.
A source in the Saudi Ministry of Interior affirmed that MBS has ordered tightening security measures during the Hajj season.
All pilgrims will be subject to security scrutiny during all their movements, the source added, pointing out that surveillance and spying programs have been purchased from Israel to eavesdrop on pilgrims.
In this regard, a social media campaign was launched under the title “Hajj is not safe” following the arrest and deportation of a number of Arab activists while they were performing the Umrah (a visit to Mecca).
The social media campaign organizers stressed that Saudi Arabia has to organize Hajj and Umrah without posing any threat to pilgrims.
The activists charged that the Saudi government is “deliberately politicizing the Two Holy Mosques and making Hajj and Umrah a tool of repression targeting the exiled opponents.”
The Saudi security forces have already arrested a number of pilgrims who are living abroad and deported them to their countries, including Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia, Syria, and China.
Activists also stressed that “Saudi Arabia has been using the Two Holy Mosques as a tool to whitewash MBS's regime.”
They also called on Saudi authorities to stop using Hajj as a trap for human rights activists.
Hajj is not safe campaign was launched for the second consecutive year due to MBS's repressive policies, one of the activists tweeted.
MBS turned Hajj into a trap to arrest Muslims and prevent others from performing it, another wrote.
“MBS is not dealing with Hajj and Umrah as Islamic rituals that every Muslim is entitled to perform, but as a source of political and financial influence!,” a tweet reads.
