The Saudi Arabian Governments Efforts to Counteract Security Threats - Case Study Example

THE QUEST FOR PILGRIMS’ SAFETY DURING HAJJ: THE SAUDI ARABIAN GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO COUNTERACT SECURITY THREATS Introduction During Hajj, millions of pilgrims from around the world visit Saudi Arabia for Islam’s annual pilgrimage. In the past, the event has been characterised by numerous security threats, such as fires, protests and stampedes, which have led to the death of hundreds of people. These events highlight the security issues that have affected the Hajj event since the 1950s. The government is keenly aware of these past episodes of violence and, as a result, it has endeavoured to put various measures into place to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. This ensures that the Muslims undertake the pilgrimage with ease without the insecurity distractions that their counterparts had do deal with in the past; thus, they can focus on the spiritual aspect of the Hajj. As the Hajj pilgrimage approaches, the Saudi Arabia government has embarked on a process of enhancing the kingdom’s security to ensure the safety of the visiting pilgrims. Security is reinforced in particular areas to provide better services and to overcome limitations. These precautionary measures ensure the smooth and safe flow of people to the holy sites. One precautionary measure involves the deployment of security forces at the entry gates to holy sites in order to block passage by unpermitted people and to block all illegal activity. In addition, visitors are inspected to ensure that they have the correct Hajj Permits. Literature Review Some reports have highlighted the issues of security threats, deaths and injuries of pilgrims during Hajj, while others have highlighted the measures that have been put in place to ensure the security of the pilgrims. Amiri and Samsu (2012, p. 246-252) and Asharq Al-Awsat (1999) highlighted the policies that have been put in place regarding security during Hajj. Alamri’s (n.d., p. 7-12) ‘Saudi Arabia defence and security report’ (2012, p. 1-72) focused on the security threats that have been observed during Hajj. The report focused on specific security threats that have been observed during Hajj. Some of these incidents are outlined below including the 1975 fire, the 1970 seizure of the Holy Mosque in Makkah, the 1987 Iranian riots, the 1990 and 1994 stampedes, the 1997 fire and the 2006 hotel collapse in Makkah. In 1975, a gas cylinder exploded and set fire to many tents, resulting in the deaths of 200 pilgrims. In 1987, Iranians rioted against the Saudi government in Makkah, which resulted in 400 deaths and 600 injuries when Saudi police opened fire on the Iranian demonstrators. In 1990, the ventilation system inside the tunnel failed, resulting in a stampede in which 1,426 pilgrims died. A stampede in 1994 culminated in the deaths of 270 pilgrims. In 1997, a gas stove inside a pilgrim’s tent exploded, resulting in 343 deaths and 1,500 wounded people. In 2006, around 70 people died when a hostel collapsed due to an underground fire. These incidents point to a gap in the security measures that were in place and thus the need to implement more safety measures. The Saudi Arabia Defence and Security Report (2012, p. 68) indicated that the government also fears terrorism in Hajj. Due to these security threats and incidents, the Saudi Arabian government has enhanced its security measures. Asharq Al-Awsat (1999) noted that authorities had banned public demonstrations and required all visitors travelling to Saudi to obtain appropriate advice and travel information in the correct embassy in London. In addition, the government has banned people from taking photos at the Holy Mosque in Makkah. This has reduced the number of stampede incidents. The government has also invested heavily in training security agents for Hajj purposes. The government deploys more than 100,000 security agents to maintain security each year. Emergency ambulances and helicopters are kept on standby for urgent flights. Hidden circuit cameras have been installed in busy areas to monitor people. Amiri and Samsu (2011, p. 249) noted that the Saudi Arabian government has put in place measures that advocate that the total number of pilgrims who attend Hajj fit into the allocated holy sites. The measures also denote that each Muslim can only perform Hajj once every five years. Such measures have served to control the number of people who visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj. The government has also put into place measures for crime detection. The names and details of suspects are published in newspapers and broadcast on national television. Alamri (n.d., p. 16) noted that individuals who report crimes are offered monetary awards. He also noted that the government has introduced Saher, which is a digitised traffic system that controls motor vehicle damages and accidents, which keeps the pilgrims safe and controls traffic during Hajj. The surface area of the holy sites has been increased to ensure that people travel into the sites in one direction in order to reduce pick pocketing cases. Fireproof tents have been introduced in the two holy mosques and the surrounding holy buildings. Research Method This analysis will seek to determine how the Saudi Arabian government manages and develops security services during Hajj. The security services will be investigated in detail using the case study research methodology, which is suitable for this analysis because the security issue at hand is specific to the Hajj event. Saudi Arabia has faced numerous threats during Hajj, which have led to the deaths of many pilgrims. The case study method will be important in discovering the security services that have been developed by the Saudi government and how they are managed during Hajj. The case study methodology is an in-depth investigation of an event, group, single person or a community. It allows the researcher to examine a real-world phenomenon in greater depth by examining the behaviours or language of particular groups or individuals. According to Dul and Hak (2008, p. 17), data are gathered from various sources and using different methods. Yin (1984, p.23) defined case study methodology as an experimental investigation in its real-life state whereby the borders linking context and phenomenon are not apparent and whereby numerous evidence sources are employed. It allows researchers to examine a topic in more detail than might be possible in case they were trying to use a large number of research participants. In this research, the case study approach will help to provide an understanding of the security measures that have been implemented due to security threats experienced during Hajj. It will also add strength or extend experience to the issues discussed in previous research. This approach will allow a detailed contextual analysis of various security threat events and their relationship to security measures that have been implemented. The case study approach will enable data to be sourced from multiple sources; for instance, interviewing security personnel or observing security devices implemented in the holy mosques. This will help to explain the development and management of security measures, and it will provide a basis for applying solutions and for exploring and describing the observed phenomenon. The role of case studies in research is well known in relation to community-based issues such as security, unemployment, illiteracy, drug addiction and poverty (Johnson 2006, p. 394; Gulsecen & Kubat 2006, p. 97). One of the main advantages of this method is that it eliminates the limitations associated with quantitative methods in generating in-depth and holistic explanations of the behavioural and social problems in question. Using the case study methodology, the research extends beyond the quantitative statistical data and realises the behavioural aspects through the actors’ perspectives. Using qualitative and quantitative data, this method will help to explain the process and the outcome of the security measure’s phenomenon through observation, reconstruction and the analysis of the cases being investigated (Tellis 1997, p.2). The Saudi Arabian government’s endeavour to develop and manage security measures and devices during Hajj will be explored and investigated in a detailed contextual analysis of the conditions and events surrounding the issues and their relationships. Multiple case designs will be adopted in this research because there are numerous sources of evidence. To develop a comprehensive understanding of the case study, data will be collected from multiple sources, including questionnaires, focus groups, interviews and observations. Questionnaires will be given to security personnel who are involved with the implementation of Hajj security measures. In-depth interviews will be held with the senior security personnel. Focus group discussions will be held with Muslims who attended the last Hajj event to obtain their perspectives on the security measures implemented and their effectiveness. Observations will enable the researcher to observe the implemented security devices and measures. The use of multiple data sources-data triangulation will increase the study’s internal validity. During the data analysis, attention will be paid to variations in every case and, where relevant, the relationship between different causes, outcomes and effects. Data will be organised and coded so that important issues arising from the data set can be easily noted. Practical Applications This research will contribute to the growing field of research in Australian criminology, as well as the effectiveness of the case study analysis method, through publication in relevant academic journals such as the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology. The research will add to the limited literature that is available on security in Saudi Arabia. The study research will be important for security firms and bodies charged with ensuring security during major events. These firms and bodies can adopt the security measures that have been developed and implemented because they have proven to be effective. This will serve to reduce security issues during functions comprising large groups of people. Firms can also learn the importance of disaster preparedness plans in relation to man-made disasters. Being aware of possible risks and being prepared before, during and after a disaster could be the difference between the total loss of lives and resources and eliminating or limiting damage. The Saudi Arabian security measures provide a good example in disaster preparedness. Fundamental attentiveness mitigation and planning are important aspects in ensuring that security issues are adequately identified, assessed and mitigated before a security threat occurs. While such threats might be unpredictable, local security officers can take important steps before the threat occurs to minimise its damage. The research will reveal gaps in the implementation of security measures, and security personnel can address these gaps to ensure that the measures are completely effective. This will help to prevent minor insecurity threats as well. This research will be an important building component for supporting the security, freedom and justice of the Australian people, and it will contribute to developing capabilities and technologies that support community policies in the areas of civil protection, transport and health. The research will offer ways of developing the knowledge and technologies required to facilitate the security of citizens from threats such as organised crime and terrorism while respecting basic human rights. Conclusion This research proposes an initial investigation into the Saudi Arabian government’s methods of managing and developing security services during the Hajj by focusing on the reduction of security threats since the 1950s. While security threats have led to the loss of lives in the past, the situation has changed as the country has developed and implemented various security measures. By analysing and highlighting the effectiveness of existing security measures in reducing the loss of lives, it is hoped that better security measures can be adopted. Future research and development can further identify security gaps in major events so that the loss of lives and the destruction of property is unheard of. References Al-Awsat, A 1999, Crown Prince Abdullah interviewed by Asharq Al-Awsat, retrieved 15 January 2013, . Alamri, Y n.d., ‘Emergency management in Saudi Arabia: past, present and future’, retrieved 15 January 2013, . Amiri, R & Samsu, K 2011, ‘Security cooperation of Iran and Saudi Arabia’, International Journal of Business and Social Science, vol. 2, no. 16, pp. 246–252. Dul, J & Hak, T 2008, Case study methodology in business research, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. Gulsecen, S & Kubat, A 2006, ‘Teaching ICT to teacher candidates using PBL: a qualitative and quantitative evaluation’, Educational Technology and Society, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 96–106. Johnson, M 2006, ‘Decision models for the location of community corrections centers’, Environment and Planning B-Planning & Design, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 393–412. Saudi Arabia Defence and Security Report Q3 2012. 2012, Saudi Arabia Defence & Security Report, vol. 3, pp. 1–83. Tellis, W 1997, ‘Introduction to case study’, The Qualitative Report, vol. 3, p. 2. Yin, R 1984, Case study research: design and methods. Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, CA. Read More