Latest news with #haj
Free Malaysia Today
21 hours ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Muslim pilgrims gather in Mecca under scorching desert sun
Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars each year from the haj. (AP pic) MECCA : 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. 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 Mecca to better manage the mammoth crowds. Despite the punishing heat, pilgrims were overjoyed as they arrived in Mecca. '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 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 Mecca during the haj face a potential 10-year ban from Saudi Arabia. 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 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 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 haj,' she said.
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Saudi Arabia deploys AI to protect over a million haj pilgrims from extreme heat
Amid extreme summer temperatures, Saudi authorities are preparing to welcome over a million haj pilgrims. This heat has a history of being deadly in the holy city of Mecca. To address this challenge, they are implementing measures such as increased shade and misting machines – and they are turning to artificial intelligence (AI). Saudi Arabia's haj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah emphasised that mitigating the intense desert heat would be a top priority for both authorities and organisers as they approached this year's pilgrimage. This concern is especially urgent following last year's haj, during which more than 1,300 pilgrims lost their lives as temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.24 degrees Fahrenheit). This year, Rabiah said authorities mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials and doubled their efforts to mitigate heat-related risks. He added that shaded areas had been expanded by 50,000 square metres (12 acres). Thousands more medics will be on hand, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed for the duration of the haj. AI tool predicts biological age using selfies In previous years, areas around the Grand Mosque have been renovated, and asphalt areas have been covered with a special layer to reduce surface temperatures. 'These new changes will definitely ensure the safety and the better experience of pilgrims when they perform their haj,' Rabiah said. He said this week that more than a million people from across the globe had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the ḥaj, with more still pouring in. In 2024, 1.8 million pilgrims gathered in Mecca during the pilgrimage. The latest AI software will help monitor the deluge of information and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, from across Mecca. 'We use advanced AI technologies to do this monitoring and get fast feedback,' the minister said. Crowd management has proved perilous in the past, notably in 2015 when a stampede caused about 2,300 deaths. Along with expanding infrastructure and deploying more personnel, Saudi officials have been cracking down to prevent pilgrims without the right paperwork from entering Mecca. Officials said that more than 80 per cent of the deaths during last year's ḥaj were among pilgrims who lacked official permits, which prevented them from accessing services including air-conditioned tents. Haj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals by lottery. Saudi Arabia is expecting over a million haj pilgrims. Photo: AFP But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs spur many to attempt the haj without a permit – though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. To head off a flood of illicit pilgrims entering Mecca, authorities have launched raids, mounted a widespread media campaign and increased fines for those found violating the rules, which includes a potential 10-year ban from the kingdom. 'Therefore, having a permit is very crucial, very important for the safety of all,' Rabiah said. 'We count on all Muslims to come only with permits and also we count on all countries to support us to ensure that only those with permits come to haj.' This year's pilgrimage will begin on June 4 and take place over at least four days, mostly outdoors. The haj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken at least once by all Muslims who are able to do so. For the past several years the mainly outdoor rituals have fallen during the sweltering Saudi summer. 'The haj pilgrimage is a sacred journey that the leadership of the kingdom and the whole people of the kingdom take it seriously,' the minister said. 'They see it as a duty to work hard to ensure the spiritual fulfilment and safety of pilgrims.'
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
No Malaysian pilgrim will miss Arafah wukuf, Tabung Haji assures amid Saudi movement curbs
MAKKAH, June 2 — Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has assured that no Malaysian pilgrim will miss performing wukuf in Arafah this Thursday, despite the Saudi Arabian government enforcing movement restrictions during this year's haj season. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said TH has made detailed preparations, including sufficient transport arrangements to ensure all pilgrims can travel to Arafah safely. 'Yes, from Tabung Haji's side, transportation for the pilgrims has been arranged and there is no issue. TH will ensure that no pilgrim is left behind; they will be in Arafah on time for wukuf,' he said after attending a meet-and-greet session with pilgrims at the Abraj Al Tayseer accommodation building and launching the 1446H/2025M Masyair Cleanliness Programme here today. In a related development, Mohd Na'im also confirmed that the Saudi Arabian government had given assurances that adequate transportation would be provided to ensure no pilgrim would have to walk to Arafah, following the restrictions announced earlier. 'Although the exact number of vehicles has not been specified, the Saudi government has shown strong commitment to safeguarding the safety of pilgrims by providing alternative transport, including buses and trains,' he explained. Commenting further, Mohd Na'im said that the new Saudi policy known as 'No Visa, No Haj' had helped reduce the number of unregistered pilgrims attempting to enter the holy land. 'This means that the pilgrims present in the holy land this year are those who possess valid permits. The situation is more controlled, and we hope the number of pilgrims set by the Saudi Ministry of Haj will match the transportation facilities provided,' he said. Meanwhile, Mohd Na'im said TH is fully prepared to handle the movement of pilgrims to the Masya'ir area beginning Wednesday. 'Alhamdulillah, as in previous years, TH is always ready. God willing, when the first group of pilgrims moves on Wednesday, our haj personnel will already be stationed in the Masya'ir area, particularly in Arafah, to receive and guide the pilgrims to their respective tents. 'Overall, the level of readiness is high. Of course, there is always room for improvement, but the commitment shown by TH and its personnel is truly commendable,' he said. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
After announcing Umno exit, Tengku Zafrul off to perform haj
Tengku Zafrul Aziz at a family prayer gathering in Kuala Lumpur yesterday before his departure for the haj. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Moments after announcing his departure from Umno, Tengku Zafrul Aziz said he would be flying to Saudi Arabia to perform the haj pilgrimage. In a Facebook post tonight, Tengku Zafrul said he held a prayer gathering attended by friends and family yesterday ahead of his pilgrimage. He also wrote: 'I would like to take this opportunity to ask for forgiveness from everyone reading this message if I have ever spoken harshly or fallen short in any way throughout our acquaintance.' Tengku Zafrul had announced earlier this evening that he has submitted his resignation as an Umno member today and would be applying to join PKR, led by Anwar Ibrahim. Citing 'compatibility and suitability', Tengku Zafrul said he decided to leave Umno after seeking advice from friends within and outside the party, including party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He was previously an Umno Supreme Council member and also headed the Kota Raja Umno division. His announcement drew a sharp response from Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, who urged Tengku Zafrul to relinquish his Cabinet post as well. Tengku Zafrul is the minister for investment, trade and industry in Anwar's Cabinet to which he was appointed from the senate. His term as a senator ends in December.
Malay Mail
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
PKR to hold special meeting on May 29 to prepare for Sabah state election, says Anwar
JOHOR BARU, May 24 — The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Political Bureau will hold a special meeting, likely on May 29, to discuss preparations for the Sabah state election. PKR president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the special meeting will focus on preparations for the election. 'Perhaps in the next few days, before many people depart for Makkah, including some of our leaders who will embark on the haj pilgrimage. I pray for them to be rewarded with 'haj mabrur' (a blessed pilgrimage). '...but before they leave, once the Asean and Asean-GCC-China Summits conclude, perhaps on the 29th of this month, we will hold a political bureau meeting, to discuss preparations for the Sabah state election,' he said. He said this when winding up his policy speech at the PKR 2024/2025 National Congress, which concludes today. — Bernama
