Latest news with #Hajj2024
Gulf Insider
13-04-2025
- Climate
- Gulf Insider
Hajj 2025 To Be The Last Summer Pilgrimage Until 2042
The Saudi National Meteorological Center announced this week that the upcoming Hajj season in 2025 will be the last to take place during the sweltering summer months for the next 16 years. Beginning in 2026, the annual Islamic pilgrimage will shift into progressively cooler seasons—first into spring and eventually into winter—due to the Islamic lunar calendar's gradual drift. This shift, driven by the calendar's 10-day annual regression, comes as a welcome change for millions of pilgrims who have endured extreme heat in recent years. During Hajj 2024, temperatures in Mecca soared to between 46°C and 51°C, resulting in more than 2,760 reported cases of heatstroke in a single day, along with multiple heat-related deaths. According to the NMC, Hajj will fall during the spring months from 2026 to 2033, before entering a prolonged winter cycle lasting through 2041. The pilgrimage will not return to the summer season until 2042, beginning a new nine-year stretch of warmer-weather rituals. Saudi authorities, aware of the rising risks posed by extreme heat, have stepped up efforts in recent years to safeguard pilgrims. Measures include the installation of expansive shaded areas, an increase in water stations, the deployment of mobile cooling units, and public heat-awareness campaigns. In 2024, the Kingdom introduced 33 new weather monitoring stations and expanded the use of mobile radars to enhance real-time climate tracking across Hajj zones. With more than 1.8 million pilgrims expected for Hajj 2025, authorities say they are preparing for one final summer challenge before the pilgrimage enters what many hope will be a safer, cooler, and more sustainable future.
Morocco World
08-04-2025
- Morocco World
Saudi Arabia Suspends Visas for 14 Countries Including Morocco
Doha – Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary suspension on issuing short-term visas for citizens of 14 countries, including Morocco, as part of measures to regulate the upcoming Hajj season and prevent unauthorized pilgrimages. The suspension takes effect from mid-April and will remain in place until mid-June 2025, following the conclusion of the annual pilgrimage. Travelers from these countries who currently hold valid visas may still enter the country until April 13, but must depart by April 29. The decision affects three types of visas: Umrah visas, business visit visas, and family visit visas. The measure comes in response to the tragic events during Hajj 2024, when over 1,200 pilgrims died. More than half of the victims were unregistered visitors who had entered Saudi Arabia through non-pilgrimage visas. The complete list of concerned countries comprises Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. Saudi authorities emphasize that the ban does not impact pilgrims with valid Hajj permits or those intending to obtain official Hajj visas through authorized channels. According to Saudi media reports, the primary motivation behind this decision is to prevent the misuse of short-term visas for unauthorized Hajj participation. Last year, Saudi security forces had to remove more than 300,000 unregistered pilgrims from Mecca, including 153,998 foreigners who had entered on tourist visas and 171,587 individuals based in Saudi Arabia but lacking proper Hajj permits. The 2024 Hajj season proved particularly challenging due to extreme weather conditions, with temperatures ranging between 46°C and 49°C. The presence of unauthorized pilgrims, who lacked access to basic amenities like lodging, transportation, and healthcare, exacerbated the situation and contributed to the high death toll. Read also: Saudi Arabia Updates Health Guidelines for Hajj 2025 Morocco's experience during the 2024 Hajj season was notably marred by these circumstances. Official records indicate that 20 Moroccan pilgrims died during the pilgrimage, though these were attributed to natural causes, with 15% of Moroccan participants being over 80 years old. Morocco sent 34,000 registered pilgrims in 2024, with 22,500 under the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs' supervision and 11,500 managed by independent travel agencies. Under the new regulations, April 13 marks the final day for issuing Umrah visas, after which no new visas will be granted to nationals of the listed countries until the Hajj season concludes. Saudi authorities have also warned that individuals attempting to perform Hajj without proper authorization may face a five-year entry ban. The custodians of the holy sites made the decision as part of ongoing measures to protect pilgrims and uphold order during Hajj. This follows a February policy that had already restricted travel from these 14 countries to single-entry visas valid for 30 days. Tags: Hajj 2025MoroccoSaudi Arabia
Gulf Business
07-04-2025
- Gulf Business
Visa freeze: Saudi Arabia suspends entry for 14 nations
Image credit: Getty Images Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries. The decision to implement the suspension was made to address overcrowding and safety concerns during Hajj. April 13 will be the last day for the issuance of Umrah visas, according to Read- The full list of the 14 countries affected by the visa suspension includes: Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. India is on the list to prevent unauthorised participation in Hajj. Reports indicate that some individuals from India, as well as other banned countries, have entered Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas or other visas and overstayed to perform Hajj without registering through official channels. This process bypasses the quota system implemented by Saudi Arabia, which allocates specific Hajj slots to each country to regulate the number of pilgrims. Sources report that these unregistered participants are responsible for overcrowding and the intense heat that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 pilgrims during Hajj 2024. Often, unregistered pilgrims lack access to basic amenities such as lodging, transportation, and healthcare, worsening safety and logistical concerns. This is a key reason why officials are tightening visa regulations to prevent further tragedies.
Express Tribune
13-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Feb 14 last date to submit third installment for Hajj 2025
Listen to article The Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that Friday, February 14, is the final deadline for pilgrims to submit the third installment under the Government Hajj Scheme. According to ministry spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt, all applicants must ensure their payments are made at designated banks by tomorrow to avoid cancellation of their Hajj applications. He urged pilgrims to collect a computerised receipt of their payments from their respective bank branches. 'Failure to submit the installment may result in the cancellation of the Hajj application,' he warned. Butt also stated that pilgrims could still modify their preferences regarding sacrificial arrangements, accommodation options, and departure points by coordinating with their banks. Meanwhile, he confirmed that the refund process for Rs4.75 billion saved from Hajj 2024 is ongoing. 'Most banks have already transferred the refunded amounts to the accounts of last year's pilgrims,' he said. Those who have yet to receive their refunds are advised to contact their respective bank branches.
Zawya
12-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Zain KSA, Huawei sign MoU to enhance Hajj 2025 digital experience with AI and data analytics
Zain KSA, the leading telecoms and digital solutions provider in Saudi Arabia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with global technology leader Huawei to boost tech collaboration ahead of the 2025 Hajj season. Signed during LEAP 2025 in Riyadh, this agreement builds on the successful collaboration between the two partners during Hajj 2024, developing innovative AI and data analytics solutions to enhance the efficiency of services provided to pilgrims and ensure a seamless and safe experience. The new partnership aims to improve real-time response speed through advanced monitoring capabilities that utilize the latest analytics technology, with the goal of reducing Time to Resolution (TTR) to less than 15 minutes. It will also focus on developing advanced communication solutions that ensure operational efficiency and uninterrupted service while maintaining top quality, in line with Saudi Vision 2030's goals of nationwide digital transformation and tech innovation. Chief Technology Officer at Zain KSA, Eng. Mohammad bin Abdulaziz AlNujaidi, commented: 'Zain KSA is wholly committed to leveraging the latest technologies to boost the efficiency and sustainability of our digital infrastructure, especially during high-demand seasons, including Hajj. Our partnership with Huawei enables us to leverage AI and data analytics to ensure reliable, high-performance communications.' This partnership builds on a long-standing collaboration between Zain KSA and Huawei. Recently, the two partners signed an MoU to develop advanced 5.5G applications for a smart solutions ecosystem that supports enhanced experiences for individuals and enterprises.
