The Executive Director of the Tourism Companies Chamber in Egypt, Osama Ammara, confirmed that the camps for pilgrims belonging to tourism companies in Mina and Arafat are exclusively for regular pilgrims affiliated with these companies. He pointed out that tourism companies organizing this year's Hajj programs are prohibited from accommodating any pilgrim in the Mina and Arafat camps in the holy sites or hosting any individual performing Hajj in an irregular manner and without Hajj visas. He explained that if it is proven that a company has accommodated an individual not listed on the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' website and also not listed on the notice board at the entrance of the tent, the Ministry of Tourism will take all legal actions against the violating companies. He affirmed that a circular letter has been sent to tourism companies to warn them of this violation, clarifying that the primary role of the Tourism Companies Chamber is to protect the rights of pilgrims and their accommodations in the holy sites of Mina and Arafat.
A source from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism revealed the reason for the deportation and detention of a large number of Egyptians during this Hajj season, indicating that citizens are making a serious mistake by not dealing with official authorities. The source noted that many Egyptian citizens are obtaining visitor visas for Saudi Arabia, explaining that while everyone has the right to obtain a visitor visa to Saudi Arabia, the disaster lies in the fact that this visa does not permit Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Deputy Head of the General Union of Egyptians in Saudi Arabia, Adel Hanafi, stated that the Kingdom has deported around 300,000 individuals for not carrying Hajj permits, suggesting that the number may exceed this figure. He added during a telephone interview with the Egyptian channel "Al-Hadath Al-Youm" that the vast majority of those deported are from Egypt.
