Makkah- Assistant Commander of Hajj Security Forces Maj. Gen. Jamaan al-Ghamdi stressed that his country does not discriminate between pilgrims; instead, it takes care of everyone and provides them with all services possible.

In response to a question by Asharq Al-Awsat about the Qatari government’s claims over guarantees regarding the safety of Qatari pilgrims, Ghamdi said: “Pilgrims are all guests and we do not discriminate between pilgrims. All pilgrims are taken care of, and the Saudis are raised on respecting guests of God.”

“We consider ourselves in this country as custodians of the Kaaba like our King, who called himself “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.”

Saudi Arabia does not differentiate between pilgrims when it comes to security protection. Everyone is protected by Allah the almighty first then by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, which provides all possible services for all pilgrims, said Ghamdi.

During a press conference held Sunday at the headquarters of the General Security in Mina to explain the security and organizational plans in the Hajj season this year, Ghamdi explained that security plans for this year’s Hajj have been completed under the full support of the wise leadership, which works on serving the pilgrims and providing them with a secured and comfort atmosphere.

“In line with orders given by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to host Qatari pilgrims, all services have been provided for them,” Ghamdi added.

Ghamdi pointed out that what has been achieved so far is continuous security successes for Hajj security forces; starting from the movement of pilgrims from the country’s borders until they arrive in Madinah and Makkah.

He stressed that the counting process is ongoing for the violating pilgrims in different Saudi regions to guarantee the safety of legal pilgrims and provide them with the best services.

Al-Ghamdi said that since the beginning of the Hajj season, 61 unauthorized offices have been closed and 10,533 Saudi individuals and 213,541 expatriates have been arrested for violating Hajj regulations.