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Observer
2 days ago
- Climate
- Observer
Hajj pilgrims gather in Mecca under scorching desert sun
Mecca, Saudi Arabia: More than a million Muslim pilgrims poured into the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual hajj, with authorities vowing to hold a safer pilgrimage amid searing desert heat and a massive crackdown on illegal visitors. Officials have beefed up heat mitigation measures hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's hajj, which saw 1,301 pilgrims die as temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.2 Fahrenheit). Temperatures were forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius this week as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings starts on Wednesday. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. As of Friday, more than 1.3 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials. This year, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling their efforts against heat-related illness following the lethal heatwave of 2024. Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Saudi Arabia's hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last week. On Monday, with temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius, the health ministry said 44 cases of heatstroke had already been treated. The latest artificial intelligence technology will also help monitor the flood of data and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, from across Mecca to better manage the mammoth crowds. Despite the punishing heat, pilgrims were overjoyed as they arrived in Mecca. - 'Very, very, very hot' - "This is really a blessing from Allah," Abdul Majid Ati, a Filipino lawyer and Sharia counsellor, told AFP near the Grand Mosque. "We feel so peaceful and safe in this place." Abdulhamid, from Nigeria, said he was "very happy" to be performing his second pilgrimage in a row at just 27 years old. But the young man said he never walks out without his sunglasses, describing the temperatures in Mecca as "very, very, very hot". The rites in the holy city and its surroundings, which follow a lunar calendar, fall again this year during the hot month of June. Last year, most of the deaths were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. "They were caught by surprise because the intensity of the heat was so high that their adaptation measures failed," said Fahad Saeed of Climate Analytics, a think tank based in Germany. In the run-up to this year's hajj, Saudi authorities launched a widespread crackdown on unregistered worshippers, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. - Arrest and deportation - Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals by lottery. But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the hajj without a permit -- though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Along with hefty fines, those found illegally entering Mecca during the hajj face a potential 10-year ban from Saudi Arabia. Large crowds at the hajj have proved hazardous in the past, most recently in 2015 when a stampede during the "stoning the devil" ritual in Mina, near Mecca, killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest hajj disaster. Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islam's holiest sanctuaries in Mecca and Medina, earns billions of dollars each year from the hajj and pilgrimages known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year. The pilgrimages are a also source of prestige for the Saudi monarch, who is known as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of Mecca and Medina. For Mariama, a 52-year-old pilgrim from Senegal, the journey to Mecca has fulfilled a life-long dream. "I was dreaming about it, thinking about it every time to come here to do the hajj," she said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Haj pilgrims gather in Makkah under scorching desert sun
MAKKAH: More than a million Muslim pilgrims poured into the holy city of Makkah ahead of the annual haj, with authorities vowing to hold a safer pilgrimage amid searing desert heat and a massive crackdown on illegal visitors. Officials have beefed up heat mitigation measures hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's haj, which saw 1,301 pilgrims die as temperatures reached 51.8°C. Temperatures were forecast to exceed 40°C this week as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings starts on Wednesday. The haj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. As of Friday, more than 1.3 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials. This year, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling their efforts against heat-related illness following the lethal heatwave of 2024. Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000sq m, thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Saudi Arabia's Haj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last week. Today, with temperatures topping 40°C, the Health Ministry said 44 cases of heatstroke had already been treated. The latest artificial intelligence technology will also help monitor the flood of data and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, from across Makkah to better manage the mammoth crowds. Despite the punishing heat, pilgrims were overjoyed as they arrived in Makkah. "This is really a blessing from Allah," Abdul Majid Ati, a Filipino lawyer and Sharia counsellor, told AFP near the Grand Mosque. "We feel so peaceful and safe in this place." Abdulhamid, from Nigeria, said he was "very happy" to be performing his second pilgrimage in a row at just 27 years old. But the young man said he never walks out without his sunglasses, describing the temperatures in Makkah as "very, very, very hot". The rites in the holy city and its surroundings, which follow a lunar calendar, fall again this year during the hot month of June. Last year, most of the deaths were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. "They were caught by surprise because the intensity of the heat was so high that their adaptation measures failed," said Fahad Saeed of Climate Analytics, a think tank based in Germany. In the run-up to this year's haj, Saudi authorities launched a widespread crackdown on unregistered worshippers, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Haj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals by lottery. But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the haj without a permit -- though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Along with hefty fines, those found illegally entering Makkah during the haj face a potential 10-year ban from Saudi Arabia. Large crowds at the hajj have proved hazardous in the past, most recently in 2015 when a stampede during the "stoning the devil" ritual in Mina, near Makkah, killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest haj disaster. Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islam's holiest sanctuaries in Makkah and Madinah, earns billions of dollars each year from the haj and pilgrimages known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year. The pilgrimages are also a source of prestige for the Saudi monarch, who is known as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of Makkah and Madinah. For Mariama, a 52-year-old pilgrim from Senegal, the journey to Makkah has fulfilled a life-long dream.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Hajj pilgrims gather in Mecca under scorching desert sun
MECCA: More than a million Muslim pilgrims poured into the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual hajj, with authorities vowing to hold a safer pilgrimage amid searing desert heat and a massive crackdown on illegal visitors. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials have beefed up heat mitigation measures hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's hajj, which saw 1,301 pilgrims die as temperatures reached 51.8 degrees celsius (125.2 fahrenheit). Temperatures were forecast to exceed 40 degrees celsius this week as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings starts on Wednesday. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. As of Friday, more than 1.3 million pilgrims had arrived in for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials. This year, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling their efforts against heat-related illness following the lethal heatwave of 2024. Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Saudi Arabia's hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last week. On Monday, with temperatures topping 40 degrees celsius, the health ministry said 44 cases of heatstroke had already been treated. The latest artificial intelligence technology will also help monitor the flood of data and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, from across Mecca to better manage the mammoth crowds. Despite the punishing heat, pilgrims were overjoyed as they arrived in Mecca. Very, very, very hot: "This is really a blessing from Allah," Abdul Majid Ati, a Filipino lawyer and Sharia counsellor, told AFP near the Grand Mosque. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We feel so peaceful and safe in this place." Abdulhamid, from Nigeria, said he was "very happy" to be performing his second pilgrimage in a row at just 27 years old. But the young man said he never walks out without his sunglasses, describing the temperatures in Mecca as "very, very, very hot". The rites in the holy city and its surroundings, which follow a lunar calendar, fall again this year during the hot month of June. Last year, most of the deaths were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. "They were caught by surprise because the intensity of the heat was so high that their adaptation measures failed," said Fahad Saeed of Climate Analytics, a think tank based in Germany. In the run-up to this year's hajj, Saudi authorities launched a widespread crackdown on unregistered worshippers, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Arrest and deportation: Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals by lottery. But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the hajj without a permit -- though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Along with hefty fines, those found illegally entering Mecca during the hajj face a potential 10-year ban from Saudi Arabia. Large crowds at the hajj have proved hazardous in the past, most recently in 2015 when a stampede during the "stoning the devil" ritual in Mina, near Mecca, killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest hajj disaster. Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islam's holiest sanctuaries in Mecca and Medina, earns billions of dollars each year from the hajj and pilgrimages known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year. The pilgrimages are a also source of prestige for the Saudi monarch, who is known as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of Mecca and Medina. For Mariama, a 52-year-old pilgrim from Senegal, the journey to Mecca has fulfilled a life-long dream. "I was dreaming about it, thinking about it every time to come here to do the hajj," she said.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Straits Times
Pilgrims come together in Mecca under scorching desert heat
Muslim worshippers gather to pray around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque complex in the holy city of Mecca, on June 1. PHOTO: AFP Pilgrims come together in Mecca under scorching desert heat MECCA, Saudi Arabia - More than a million Muslim pilgrims poured into the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj, with authorities vowing to hold a safer pilgrimage amid searing desert heat and a massive crackdown on illegal visitors. Temperatures were forecast to exceed 40 deg C this week as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings officially commences on June 4. The haj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. As of May 30, more than 1.3 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials. Authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials in 2025, doubling their efforts to mitigate heat-related risks following a lethal heatwave in 2024 that left hundreds dead. Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000sq m, thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed for the duration of the haj, Saudi Arabia's hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last week. The latest artificial intelligence software will also help monitor the flood of information and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, from across Mecca to better manage the mammoth crowds. Despite the punishing heat, pilgrims were overjoyed as they arrived in Mecca. 'A blessing' 'This is really a blessing from Allah,' Mr Abdul Majid Ati, a Filipino lawyer and Syariah counsellor, told AFP near the Grand Mosque. 'We feel so peaceful and safe in this place.' Mr Abdulhamid from Nigeria, said he was 'very happy' to be performing his second pilgrimage in a row at just 27 years old. But the young man said he never walks out without his sunglasses, describing the temperatures in Mecca as 'very, very, very hot'. The rites in the holy city and its surroundings fall again in 2025 during the hot month of June. In 2024, 1,301 pilgrims, most of them unregistered and lacking access to air-conditioned tents and buses, died as temperatures soared to 51.8 deg C. 'They were caught by surprise because the intensity of the heat was so high that their adaptation measures failed,' said Mr Fahad Saeed of Climate Analytics, a think tank based in Germany. In the run-up to 2025's haj, Saudi authorities launched a widespread crackdown on unregistered worshippers – relying on frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts focused on rooting out unauthorised visitors hoping to sneak into Mecca. Haj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals by lottery. Arrest and deportation But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the haj without a permit – though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Along with hefty fines, those found illegally entering Mecca during the haj face a potential 10-year ban from the kingdom. Large crowds at the haj have proved hazardous in the past, most recently in 2015 when a stampede during the 'stoning the devil' ritual in Mina, near Mecca, killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest haj disaster. Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islam's holiest sanctuaries in Mecca and Medina, earns billions of dollars each year from the haj and from pilgrimages known as Umrah, undertaken at other times of the year. They also enhance the prestige of the Saudi monarch, who is known as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of Mecca and Medina. For Ms Mariama, a 52-year-old pilgrim from Senegal, the journey to Mecca for the haj has fulfilled a life-long dream. 'I was dreaming about it, thinking about it every time to come here to do the haj,' she said. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Pilgrims come together in Mecca under scorching desert heat
MECCA: More than a million Muslim pilgrims poured into the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual hajj, with authorities vowing to hold a safer pilgrimage amid searing desert heat and a massive crackdown on illegal visitors. Temperatures were forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) this week as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings officially commences on Wednesday. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. As of Friday, more than 1.3 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials. This year, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling their efforts to mitigate heat-related risks following a lethal heatwave in 2024 that left hundreds dead. Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed for the duration of the hajj, Saudi Arabia's hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last week. The latest artificial intelligence software will also help monitor the flood of information and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, from across Mecca to better manage the mammoth crowds. Despite the punishing heat, pilgrims were overjoyed as they arrived in Mecca. - 'A blessing' - 'This is really a blessing from Allah,' Abdul Majid Ati, a Filipino lawyer and Sharia counsellor, told AFP near the Grand Mosque. 'We feel so peaceful and safe in this place.' Abdulhamid from Nigeria, said he was 'very happy' to be performing his second pilgrimage in a row at just 27 years old. But the young man said he never walks out without his sunglasses, describing the temperatures in Mecca as 'very, very, very hot'. The rites in the holy city and its surroundings fall again this year during the hot month of June. Last year, 1,301 pilgrims, most of them unregistered and lacking access to air-conditioned tents and buses, died as temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius. 'They were caught by surprise because the intensity of the heat was so high that their adaptation measures failed,' said Fahad Saeed of Climate Analytics, a think tank based in Germany. In the run-up to this year's hajj, Saudi authorities launched a widespread crackdown on unregistered worshippers -- relying on frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts focused on rooting out unauthorised visitors hoping to sneak into Mecca. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals by lottery. - Arrest and deportation - But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the hajj without a permit -- though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Along with hefty fines, those found illegally entering Mecca during the hajj face a potential 10-year ban from the kingdom. Large crowds at the hajj have proved hazardous in the past, most recently in 2015 when a stampede during the 'stoning the devil' ritual in Mina, near Mecca, killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest hajj disaster. Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islam's holiest sanctuaries in Mecca and Medina, earns billions of dollars each year from the hajj and from pilgrimages known as Umrah, undertaken at other times of the year. They also enhance the prestige of the Saudi monarch, who is known as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of Mecca and Medina. For Mariama, a 52-year-old pilgrim from Senegal, the journey to Mecca for the hajj has fulfilled a life-long dream. 'I was dreaming about it, thinking about it every time to come here to do the hajj,' she said.
