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Khaleej Times
a day ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
Million-plus pilgrims begin Haj under the blazing sun
More than a million pilgrims joined Islam's most important rite under a beating sun on Wednesday, as the Haj kicked off with the Saudi hosts scrambling to avoid last year's 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat. With temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), robed pilgrims slowly circled the holy Kaaba — the black cube at the heart of Makkah's Grand Mosque which is Islam's holiest site. State media reported that others had begun arriving in the sprawling tent city of Mina on the holy city of Makkah's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the hajj's high-point on Thursday — prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mouhammad (peace be upon him) is believed to have delivered his final sermon. About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. Authorities have ratcheted up heat protection measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8C (125.2F). On Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf — walking seven times around the Kaaba, which Muslims pray towards each day. Before entering Makkah, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behaviour. Men don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers, regardless of their social status or nationality. Women, in turn, wear loose dresses, also white, exposing just their faces and hands. Pilgrims arriving on buses had begun already trickling into Mina on Tuesday afternoon, greeted by staff offering them coffee and dates. "I am so happy, it's such an amazing feeling," said Reem Al Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi performing the pilgrimage for the first time. - Artificial intelligence - Following last year's lethal heatwave, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials to improve protection. Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah told AFP last week. Artificial intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds. Authorities said most of the deaths last year were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have cracked down on the unregistered, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis 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, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Large crowds at the hajj have proved hazardous in the past, most notably in 2015 when a stampede during the "stoning the devil" ritual in Mina killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest Haj disaster. Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the Haj and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
Million-plus begin annual Hajj pilgrimage
More than a million pilgrims joined Islam's most important rite under a beating sun on Wednesday, as the annual Hajj pilgrimage kicked off in Saudi Arabia. With temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), robed pilgrims slowly circled the Kaaba -- the black cube at the heart of Mecca's Grand Mosque which is Islam's holiest site. For more Saudi news, visit our dedicated page. Saudi state media reported that others had begun arriving in Mina on Mecca's outskirts where they will stay overnight before Hajj's high-point Thursday -- prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final sermon. About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. Saudi authorities have ratcheted up heat protection measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8C (125.2F). On Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf -- walking seven times around the Kaaba, which Muslims pray towards each day. Before entering Mecca, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behavior. Men don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasizes unity among believers, regardless of their social status or nationality. Women, in turn, wear loose dresses, also white, exposing just their faces and hands. Pilgrims arriving on buses had begun already trickling into Mina on Tuesday afternoon, greeted by staff offering them coffee and dates. 'I am so happy, it's such an amazing feeling,' said Reem al-Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi performing the pilgrimage for the first time. Artificial intelligence Following last year's lethal heatwave, authorities have mobilized more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials to improve protection. Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square meters (12 acres), thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last week. Artificial intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds. Authorities said most of the deaths last year were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have cracked down on the unregistered, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals by lottery. But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt Hajj without a permit, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Large crowds at Hajj have proved hazardous in the past, most notably in 2015 when a stampede during the 'stoning the devil' ritual in Mina killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest Hajj disaster. With AFP
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Haj 2025 kicks off under scorching sun as Saudi Arabia eyes heat prevention
MECCA, June 4 — More than a million worshippers were set to join Islam's most important rite under a beating sun as the Haj pilgrimage kicked off Wednesday, with authorities scrambling to avoid last year's 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat. In temperatures that are expected to climb to more than 40°Celsius, robed pilgrims will slowly circle the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site — the black cubic structure at the centre of Mecca's Grand Mosque. About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the multi-day Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. Authorities have ratcheted up anti-heat measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8°C. On Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf — walking seven times around the Kaaba, which Muslims worldwide pray towards each day. They then head to Mina, the site of a giant tented city, before the Haj's high-point: prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon. Before entering Mecca, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behaviour. Men don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers, regardless of their social status or nationality. Women, in turn, wear loose dresses, also white, exposing just their faces and hands. Pilgrims arriving on buses were already trickling into Mina on Tuesday afternoon, greeted by staff offering them coffee and dates. 'I am so happy, it's such an amazing feeling,' said Reem al-Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi national performing hajj for the first time. Artificial intelligence Following last year's lethal heatwave, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling their efforts against heat-related ailments. Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres, thousands of additional 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. Artificial intelligence technology will also help track the deluge of data and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds. Authorities said most of the deaths last year were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have stepped up a crackdown on unregistered worshippers, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Haj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis 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, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Large crowds at the Haj have proved hazardous in the past, most notably 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, as well as the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year. — AFP
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Hajj 2025 begins: Thousands of UAE pilgrims arrive in Makkah for sacred journey
As Haya Qawas stepped into the view of the Holy Ka'aba, she felt as if she had been transported to another world. The sight of the sacred stone building brought her to tears, and her heart raced with joy. "It was like I had been waiting for this moment my whole life," she told Khaleej Times. Qawas is among thousands of pilgrims from the UAE who have travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah. This year, Saudi authorities have implemented stricter measures to protect pilgrims from the intense heat, as temperatures are expected to soar above 40°C. Hajj begins on Wednesday, June 4, and will continue until Monday, June 9. What is Hajj? Hajj is a religious obligation for all Muslims, with exceptions made for those who are elderly, disabled, or financially unable to participate. It is a spiritual milestone in the life of every Muslim, where people of all walks of life — rich and poor, young and old — stand together in identical white garments, stripped of status and worldly attachments. 'Those were days of physical exhaustion, but I experienced a kind of emotional and spiritual peace I had never known before,' Qawas said, referring to the journey to Makkah. 'I truly felt close to my Lord, as if my sins were melting away with every tear, every tawaf (the act of walking around the Ka'aba), and every weakness." Abdulrahim Shraim, Qawas' husband, felt much of the same feelings, his heart beaming with joy at the sight of the Ka'aba. This will be his first time performing Haj, and Shraim and an estimated 1.8 mn pilgrims are preparing the long and strenuous journey. The high temperatures will add on to his exhaustion but said that it will be worth it. Her husband, Abdulrahim Shraim, who is performing Hajj for the first time, echoed her sentiments. The high temperatures are adding to the physical fatigue, but Shraim believes the experience will be worth it. 'All the travel fatigue vanished, and my heart felt so light,' he said. The married couple are among the estimated 1.8 million pilgrims who will be performing Hajj this year. 'Greater reward' When Khaleej Times last spoke to Sarah Tiry, she was preparing to embark on a night journey to Mina, an area 8km southeast of the city of Makkah which houses hundreds of thousands of tents to accommodate pilgrims. The stay-at-home mum from South Africa will board a bus along with her group that will leave for Mina at 2.30am. From there, she expects to make the trek from Arafah to Muzdalifah. 'There are times where the bus route may have taken an extra hour to reach our hotel, but that was due to the police blockages around the Makkah area, but Alhamdulillah we are meant to bear with a little inconvenience for the greater reward of this journey,' she said. Tiry also shared that she had prepared for the heat by wearing a cotton hijab and using unscented products, as Muslims in the Ihram, a sacred state a Muslim must enter in to perform the Haj, cannot use perfumes or strongly scented products. Although travelling with her husband, she found companionship and support from two women she met during the trip. 'I've made 2 friends and it's like we've known one another forever,' she said. 'The support, familiarity and companionship you get is like no other in a short space of time. It's something you need while you're here as a lot of the time you won't be with your partner." Layali al-Tashriq Jaseem Khateebi, a Dubai resident, is also travelling with his wife and other family members for Hajj. 'We haven't started our journey to Mina yet. Because of the extreme heat, we will either go later this evening or early tomorrow morning." The stay in Mina, known as Layali al-Tashriq, is a time for pilgrims to recite the Holy Quran, offer prayers and nawafil, perform dhikr, and listen to Islamic lectures. Currently, Jaseem and his group are staying in Aziziya, a neighbourhood close to the holy sites. Khateebi described the crowds this year as massive, and while travelling to the holy sites is difficult due to the heat, he noted that most pilgrims stay inside their accommodations during the hottest part of the day. 'During the afternoon, hardly anyone steps outside, it's just too hot. Most pilgrims stay inside their hotels or accommodations until the temperatures drop,' he said. Jaseem added that many prefer to visit Masjid Al Haram in the evening or early morning. Despite the scorching heat and the large number of pilgrims, Jaseem commended the organisers for ensuring a smooth and safe experience. 'There are clear signage, regular announcements, and people helping us all along the way. It gives us peace of mind, especially for the elderly in our group,' he added. Organisations across the UAE, including the Abu Dhabi Rehabilitation Centre and the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, sponsor free Hajj trips for Emiratis who are unable to afford the pilgrimage, including the elderly, widows, and divorced women. The official Hajj delegation of the country will also look after UAE pilgrims in the holy site by giving them free healthcare services and preparing them for their journeys.
The National
2 days ago
- General
- The National
Saudi Arabia launches world's largest cooling system as pilgrims gather for Hajj
The world's largest cooling system is in operation at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, as more than a million Hajj pilgrims gather in the Saudi city amid the summer heat. The annual pilgrimage is to begin on Wednesday and Saudi authorities have vowed that the event will be safe as temperatures soar. Strict penalties have been enforced against illegal visitors to Makkah in an effort to prevent overcrowding. A cooling system with a capacity of 155,000 refrigeration tonnes, a unit of power used to measure refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, will keep temperatures at the mosque between 22°C and 24°C, the official Saudi Press Agency reported. The Grand Mosque houses the Kaaba and is visited by millions of worshippers every year. The oldest parts of the mosque date back to the 16th century. Two main cooling stations will pump air around the mosque – the Shamiya station, with a capacity of 120,000 tonnes, and the Ajyad station at 35,000 tonnes, SPA reported, quoting the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque. "These efforts are part of a comprehensive vision aimed at elevating the pilgrim experience and providing the highest levels of comfort and tranquillity during ritual performance, especially given the potentially harsh weather conditions," SPA added. Saudi authorities said last year that 1,300 Hajj pilgrims died as temperatures reached 50°C. Many were unregistered and lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is mandatory for Muslims able to do so to perform the pilgrimage once in their lives. As of Friday, more than 1.3 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia, officials said. Temperatures this week are forecast to exceed 40°C. "I can't describe the joy of travelling finally for the Hajj," Abdullah Al Mutawa, 45, told The National at Dubai airport on Monday, before boarding a flight to Makkah. "I broke down in tears when I arrived at the airport knowing my dream has became a reality." More than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials will work to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry has warned that anyone attempting to perform the pilgrimage without a permit will face a fine of up to 20,000 riyals ($5,300). Those enabling illegal pilgrims to travel to Makkah face higher fines. Foreigners who breach the rules could be barred from entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years. The Saudi government has built new infrastructure to enhance the safety of Hajj pilgrims. A quota system for visitors to Makkah was introduced in 1987, agreed on by member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, to limit the number of pilgrims allowed by each nation to 0.1 per cent of its population. This year, artificial intelligence will be used by authorities to monitor data and video, with a new fleet of drones to take to the skies above Makkah, to help manage the crowds.
