Latest news with #Reemal-Shogre
Observer
4 days ago
- General
- Observer
Million-plus pilgrims begin hajj under blazing sun
Mecca, Saudi Arabia: More than a million pilgrims joined Islam's most important rite under a beating sun on Wednesday, as the hajj 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 Kaaba -- the black cube at the heart of Mecca'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 Mecca's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the 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 the hajj, 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 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 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 hajj disaster. Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the hajj, and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.
The Journal
4 days ago
- General
- The Journal
Over a million pilgrims begin the hajj in Saudi Arabia
MORE THAN A million pilgrims joined Islam's most important rite under a beating sun today as the hajj 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, robed pilgrims slowly circled the Kaaba – the black cube at the heart of Mecca'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 Mecca's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the 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 the hajj, 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. Today, 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 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. Advertisement '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. Pilgrims prepare to ride a bus from Mecca to Arafat. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 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, thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told news organisation 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 hajj disaster. Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the hajj, and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Million-plus pilgrims begin hajj under blazing sun
More than a million pilgrims have joined Islam's most important rite under a beating sun, as the hajj kicked off with the Saudi hosts scrambling to avoid last year's 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat. With temperatures expected to top 40C, robed pilgrims slowly circled the Kaaba - the black cube at the heart of Mecca'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 Mecca's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the hajj's high-point tomorrow - 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 the hajj, 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. Today, 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 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 yesterday 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 used to manage crowds 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, 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 hajj disaster. Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the hajj, and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- General
- Al Etihad
Million-plus pilgrims arrive in Mina for 'Day of Tarwiyah'
4 June 2025 13:09 MINA, SAUDI ARABIA (AGENCIES) Pilgrims began arriving in Mina on Wednesday morning to spend the Day of Tarwiyah, Dhu Al-Hijjah 8, and stay overnight before the hajj's high-point Thursday, prayers on Mount to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Kingdom's government provided extensive security, medical, food, and transportation services to ensure pilgrims' comfort and enable them to perform their rituals with ease and media reported that more than a million pilgrims had begun arriving in the sprawling tent city of Mina on Mecca's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the hajj's high-point Thursday - prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf - walking seven times around the Kaaba, which Muslims pray towards each entering Mecca, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers, regardless of their social status or in turn, wear loose dresses, also white, exposing just their faces and 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. The newly built pedestrian boulevard leading to the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia (REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah) 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, Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds.
LeMonde
4 days ago
- General
- LeMonde
Hajj begins for more than a million pilgrims under blistering heat
More than a million worshipers were set to join Islam's most important rite under a beating sun as the hajj pilgrimage kicked off Wednesday, June 4, 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°C, robed pilgrims will slowly circle the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site – the black cubic structure at the center of Mecca's Grand Mosque. About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the multi-day hajj, 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 hajj's high-point: prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed 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 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 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 mobilized 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 meters, thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Saudi Arabia's hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told Agence France-Presse 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 worshipers, 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, 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, as well as the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.
