Latest news with #AbdullahAsiri
Observer
2 days ago
- General
- Observer
Saudi readies for 'worst case scenario' in sweltering haj
MINA: Near a sprawling tent city outside Mecca, Saudi hospital staff are preparing for a flood of heat-related cases as Muslim pilgrims begin haj this week in sweltering summer temperatures. The Mina Emergency Hospital is one of 15 such facilities operating just a few weeks a year around the annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites, which in 2024 saw more than 1,300 people die in the desert heat. Saudi authorities hope to head off a fatal repeat of last year's pilgrimage, when temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius. Temperatures this year are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together devotees from around the globe, officially commences on Wednesday. So far, authorities have recorded 44 cases of heat exhaustion. Abdullah Asiri, Saudi Arabia's deputy minister for population health, said that at the Mina hospital that "the focus is on heat-related conditions because the haj coincides with extreme heat". Brimming with staff but no patients just yet, the hospital is part of the kingdom's efforts to prepare for "the worst case scenario" after pilgrims descend on Mina, Asiri said. Defying the scorching heat, pilgrims have already started to flock to Mecca. As of Sunday, more than 1.4 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials. Mecca's Grand Mosque is serviced by the largest cooling system in the world, according to Saudi state television, with enormous fans and cooled pavements dotting the massive complex. But outside, hiding from the heat can prove challenging. Some pilgrims wear caps or carry umbrellas, but others walk on foot without any protection from the sun, like Palestinian Rabah Mansour, 70, who said that after a lifetime of working outside as a farmer, "heat doesn't bother me". "I have been working in the fields since I was a child," he said, as sweat trickled down his face. While many pilgrims may be overcome with religious fervour, Asiri warned devotees against unnecessarily exposing themselves to harsh conditions. Badr Shreiteh, another Palestinian pilgrim, said that he believed such hardships on the haj trail would increase the blessings he reaps. "As you can see, we're dripping with sweat," he said, adding: "The more hardship we endure, the more reward we gain." According to Asiri, of the health ministry, a total of 50,000 healthcare workers and administrative staff have been mobilised for the haj, far exceeding previous years' numbers. More than 700 hospital beds are ready, equipped with fans to treat severe cases of heat illnesses. "Capacity this year has been expanded by more than 60 percent compared to last year," Asiri said, expecting greater numbers of patients. "That's why we are doing all of these measures," he said. Last year, medical staff treated 2,764 pilgrims for heat exhaustion and other heat-related conditions, according to the health ministry. To prevent people from needing hospitalisation in the first place, 71 emergency medical points have been set up around Mecca's holy sites with a focus on "treating patients on the ground before their case deteriorates", said Asiri. On the second day of haj, pilgrims will head to Mount Arafat, climbing it and reciting prayers for the whole day. Asiri said pilgrims can stay in the shade. "Most of the heat-related illnesses that happen in Arafat is because people think that they must be under the sun," he said. "You don't have to be outside your tent during Arafat. You don't have to climb the mountain," he added, citing no religious obligation to do so, "and it's very risky from a health point of view". Haj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah said earlier that thousands of misting fans and more than 400 water cooling units have been deployed. Authorities built cooled walkways, including a newly completed four-kilometre pathway leading to Arafat. — AFP
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Saudi Arabia bars 269,000 from Makkah over Hajj permit violations to prevent overcrowding
Medical team members evacuate a Muslim pilgrim, affected by the scorching heat, at the base of Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage on June 15, 2024. PHOTO: AFP Listen to article Saudi authorities have barred over 269,000 individuals from entering Mecca without the required permits ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, officials announced on Sunday. The move is part of tightened efforts to manage crowds and prevent repeat tragedies linked to unauthorised pilgrims. Authorities say permit violations have historically contributed to overcrowding, often leading to fatalities. Last year, over 1,300 pilgrims died, many of them unregistered, as temperatures soared to a record 51.8°C. As Hajj officially begins this week, the Saudi Ministry of Health reported it has already treated 44 cases of heatstroke, with 1.4 million pilgrims having arrived in the kingdom so far. Although extreme temperatures are not forecast to reach last year's peak, they are expected to exceed 40°C during the pilgrimage. Deputy Health Minister Abdullah Asiri told AFP that officials were preparing for the "worst-case scenario." 'The focus is on heat-related illnesses because the Hajj coincides with extreme temperatures,' he said. In anticipation of potential health emergencies, the ministry has mobilised 50,000 medical and administrative personnel and allocated over 700 hospital beds equipped with ventilators for critical cases. Hajj is one of Islam's five pillars and is a religious obligation for all Muslims who are physically and financially capable. The pilgrimage this year coincides with Eid al-Adha, which will be observed on 6 June. The holiday commemorates the Quranic account of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to God's command. As Saudi Arabia enforces stricter regulations and boosts health infrastructure, officials are urging pilgrims to comply with safety measures to ensure a secure and spiritually fulfilling Hajj.
NDTV
3 days ago
- General
- NDTV
Saudi Readies For "Worst Case Scenario" In Sweltering Hajj
Mecca: Near a sprawling tent city outside Mecca, Saudi hospital staff are preparing for a flood of heat-related cases as Muslim pilgrims begin hajj this week in sweltering summer temperatures. The Mina Emergency Hospital is one of 15 such facilities operating just a few weeks a year around the annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites, which in 2024 saw more than 1,300 people die in the desert heat. Saudi authorities hope to head off a fatal repeat of last year's pilgrimage, when temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit). Temperatures this year are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together devotees from around the globe, officially commences on Wednesday. So far, authorities have recorded 44 cases of heat exhaustion. Abdullah Asiri, Saudi Arabia's deputy minister for population health, told AFP at the Mina hospital that "the focus is on heat-related conditions because the hajj coincides with extreme heat". Brimming with staff but no patients just yet, the hospital is part of the kingdom's efforts to prepare for "the worst case scenario" after pilgrims descend on Mina, Asiri said. Defying the scorching heat, pilgrims have already started to flock to Mecca. As of Sunday, more than 1.4 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials. Mecca's Grand Mosque is serviced by the largest cooling system in the world, according to Saudi state television, with enormous fans and cooled pavements dotting the massive complex. But outside, hiding from the heat can prove challenging. Increased capacity - Some pilgrims wear caps or carry umbrellas, but others walk on foot without any protection from the sun, like Palestinian Rabah Mansour, 70, who said that after a lifetime of working outside as a farmer, "heat doesn't bother me". "I have been working in the fields since I was a child," he said, as sweat trickled down his face. While many pilgrims may be overcome with religious fervour, Asiri warned devotees against unnecessarily exposing themselves to harsh conditions. Badr Shreiteh, another Palestinian pilgrim, told AFP that he believed such hardships on the hajj trail would increase the blessings he reaps. "As you can see, we're dripping with sweat," he said, adding: "The more hardship we endure, the more reward we gain." According to Asiri, of the health ministry, a total of 50,000 healthcare workers and administrative staff have been mobilised for the hajj, far exceeding previous years' numbers. More than 700 hospital beds are ready, equipped with fans to treat severe cases of heat illnesses. "Capacity this year has been expanded by more than 60 percent compared to last year," Asiri said, expecting greater numbers of patients. "That's why we are doing all of these measures," he said. Last year, medical staff treated 2,764 pilgrims for heat exhaustion and other heat-related conditions, according to the health ministry. 'Challenge' - To prevent people from needing hospitalisation in the first place, 71 emergency medical points have been set up around Mecca's holy sites with a focus on "treating patients on the ground before their case deteriorates", said Asiri. On the second day of hajj, pilgrims will head to Mount Arafat, climbing it and reciting prayers for the whole day. Asiri said pilgrims can stay in the shade. "Most of the heat-related illnesses that happen in Arafat is because people think that they must be under the sun," he said. "You don't have to be outside your tent during Arafat. You don't have to climb the mountain," he added, citing no religious obligation to do so, "and it's very risky from a health point of view". Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP earlier that thousands of misting fans and more than 400 water cooling units have been deployed. Authorities built cooled walkways, including a newly completed four-kilometre (2.5-mile) pathway leading to Arafat. Last year's hajj deaths were a high-profile example of the havoc wrought by heat in 2024, which the Copernicus Climate Change Service said was the hottest ever recorded. Abdul Majid Ati, from the Philippines, said there "extreme heat, but there are also times that we are inside the (Grand mosque) -- it's extreme cold because of the tiles and of the aircon". "We take this as a challenge and a test of our moral character." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Climate
- Middle East Eye
Saudi Arabia launches permit crackdown to stop heat deaths during Hajj
Saudi Arabia is cracking down on Hajj permit violations to prevent heat deaths during the pilgrimage. Officials announced on Sunday that the authorities had stopped over 269,000 individuals without the necessary permits from entering Mecca ahead of Hajj. Saudi officials have attributed overcrowding at the pilgrimage to permit violations, noting that deaths in previous years were often of those without a valid permit. More than 1,300 pilgrims died in 2024 after thermometers recorded temperatures reaching 51.8 degrees Celsius. The weather forecast is not predicting such peaks as the Hajj begins this week, but temperatures are still expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The Ministry of Health announced on Monday that it had already treated 44 cases of heatstroke after 1.4 million worshippers arrived in the kingdom. Deputy Minister of Health Abdullah Asiri told AFP that they were preparing for the "worst-case scenario". "The focus is on heat-related illnesses because the Hajj coincides with extreme temperatures," he said. Asiri added a total of 50,000 medical and administrative staff had been mobilised for the Hajj, while more than 700 hospital beds were equipped with ventilators for serious cases. Hajj is a religious obligation on all Muslims who are healthy, financially able, of sound mind and of age to perform the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage coincides with the Eid al-Adha festival, which is Islam's most important religious event. Due to be celebrated on 6 June this year, Eid al-Adha marks the Quranic story of Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son Ismail.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Saudi Arabia prepares for 'worst case scenario' as extreme heat looms over Hajj 2025
Near a sprawling tent city outside Mecca, Saudi hospital staff are preparing for a flood of heat-related cases as Muslim pilgrims begin hajj this week in sweltering summer temperatures. The Mina Emergency Hospital is one of 15 such facilities operating just a few weeks a year around the annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites, which in 2024 saw more than 1,300 people die in the desert heat. Saudi authorities hope to head off a fatal repeat of last year's pilgrimage, when temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Todos em Portugal estão a instalar este alarme anti-intrusão Securitas Direct Alarmes Solicite orçamento Undo Temperatures this year are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together devotees from around the globe, officially commences on Wednesday. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) So far, authorities have recorded 44 cases of heat exhaustion. Live Events You Might Also Like: Saudi Arabia arrests Indian National among others for unauthorised Hajj transportation Abdullah Asiri, Saudi Arabia 's deputy minister for population health, told AFP at the Mina hospital that "the focus is on heat-related conditions because the hajj coincides with extreme heat". Brimming with staff but no patients just yet, the hospital is part of the kingdom's efforts to prepare for "the worst case scenario" after pilgrims descend on Mina, Asiri said. Defying the scorching heat, pilgrims have already started to flock to Mecca. As of Sunday, more than 1.4 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials. You Might Also Like: Saudi Arabia: Umrah season calendar 2025-26 announced; important dates pilgrims must know Mecca's Grand Mosque is serviced by the largest cooling system in the world, according to Saudi state television, with enormous fans and cooled pavements dotting the massive complex. But outside, hiding from the heat can prove challenging. Increased capacity Some pilgrims wear caps or carry umbrellas, but others walk on foot without any protection from the sun, like Palestinian Rabah Mansour, 70, who said that after a lifetime of working outside as a farmer, "heat doesn't bother me". "I have been working in the fields since I was a child," he said, as sweat trickled down his face. While many pilgrims may be overcome with religious fervour, Asiri warned devotees against unnecessarily exposing themselves to harsh conditions. Badr Shreiteh, another Palestinian pilgrim, told AFP that he believed such hardships on the hajj trail would increase the blessings he reaps. "As you can see, we're dripping with sweat," he said, adding: "The more hardship we endure, the more reward we gain." According to Asiri, of the health ministry , a total of 50,000 healthcare workers and administrative staff have been mobilised for the hajj, far exceeding previous years' numbers. More than 700 hospital beds are ready, equipped with fans to treat severe cases of heat illnesses. "Capacity this year has been expanded by more than 60 percent compared to last year," Asiri said, expecting greater numbers of patients. "That's why we are doing all of these measures," he said. Last year, medical staff treated 2,764 pilgrims for heat exhaustion and other heat-related conditions, according to the health ministry. Challenge To prevent people from needing hospitalisation in the first place, 71 emergency medical points have been set up around Mecca's holy sites with a focus on "treating patients on the ground before their case deteriorates", said Asiri. On the second day of hajj, pilgrims will head to Mount Arafat, climbing it and reciting prayers for the whole day. Asiri said pilgrims can stay in the shade. "Most of the heat-related illnesses that happen in Arafat is because people think that they must be under the sun," he said. "You don't have to be outside your tent during Arafat. You don't have to climb the mountain," he added, citing no religious obligation to do so, "and it's very risky from a health point of view". Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP earlier that thousands of misting fans and more than 400 water cooling units have been deployed. Authorities built cooled walkways, including a newly completed four-kilometre (2.5-mile) pathway leading to Arafat. Last year's hajj deaths were a high-profile example of the havoc wrought by heat in 2024, which the Copernicus Climate Change Service said was the hottest ever recorded. Abdul Majid Ati, from the Philippines, said there "extreme heat, but there are also times that we are inside the (Grand mosque) -- it's extreme cold because of the tiles and of the aircon". "We take this as a challenge and a test of our moral character."
