Latest news with #pilgrims
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Health
- Al Arabiya
Death of Hajj-bound pilgrims raises questions about compliance in home countries
The death of a number of pilgrims on flights heading to Saudi Arabia where they were set to perform Hajj has raised questions about measures taken at their home countries to ensure that pilgrims are physically capable of performing the ritual. According to Indonesian media outlets, an Indonesian pilgrim died during flights to Medina. The woman in her sixties who suddenly collapsed on board. A video showed her body lying and covered aboard as passengers were trying to comfort a man, who appeared to be a relative of the woman who died on the flight. وفاة حاجة إندونيسية على متن طائرة متجهة إلى المدينة المنورة لأداء #الحج — فيديوهات ترند (@Trend_vide0s) May 10, 2025 Indonesian media reports said that the woman was later buried in Medina, home to Islam's second holiest mosque. While the initial medical report stated that the cause of death was dehydration, the mission suggested that a heart attack was the primary cause. In Malaysia, authorities confirmed the deaths of five pilgrims due to heart attacks. In Pakistan, five deaths have been recorded since the start of the Hajj pilgrimage, most of whom died from health complications just after their arrival to Saudi Arabia. While Indonesia and Malaysia previously accounted for the majority of early Hajj deaths, the list has recently expanded to include other countries such as Libya and Bangladesh. Most of these deaths are elderly people suffering from chronic illnesses. While all deaths reported up to the end of May were not linked to mass accidents or epidemics, some occurred before, during or just after their flights. The Saudi Ministry of Health had emphasized in its guidelines to foreign missions the need to ensure pilgrims' physical fitness and undergo medical examinations to prove their ability to endure the rigors of Hajj. Indonesian pilgrims benefit from a Saudi scheme offering Hajj-linked facilities, within an initiative known as the 'Mecca Route.' In addition to Indonesia, pilgrims from Malaysia, Pakistan, Morocco, Bangladesh, Turkey and Cote d'Ivoire benefit from the 'Mecca Route' initiative. The initiative aims at providing fast-track services to pilgrims from these countries by smoothly finalizing their procedures in the homeland, tagging and sorting out luggage at the departure airports and eventually delivering their luggage right to their residences inside Saudi Arabia. They head directly to their residences in Mecca and Medina on designated smooth routes. These steps are implemented after verifying all health requirements are met. However, these recent deaths, which have affected various nationalities through different travel methods, have raised questions about the fitness of some pilgrims to perform the physically demanding Hajj under harsh climatic conditions. It also raised concerns about the extent to which some countries adhere to the health requirements set by Saudi Arabia and that aim at ensuring the safety of pilgrims, according to observers who spoke to Saudi media outlets. Saudi physician Ahmed Al-Omari addressed the issue in an interview with Asharq al-Awsat saying that 'if some pilgrims collapse during the flight or upon arrival, how will they fare in the extreme crowding and temperatures that can reach 45 degrees Celsius in Arafat and Mina?' Last year, hundreds of people died while performing Hajj amid soaring temperatures. The total death toll during last year's pilgrimage reached 1,301, according to Saudi health ministry. 83 percent of the deceased were pilgrims who had undertaken the journey without the necessary permits, according to the ministry. It said that the Kingdom provided approximately 1.3 million preventive services to pilgrims, adding that authorities also delivered over 465,000 treatment services, including 141,000 for those without Hajj authorization. The Kingdom has been keen on ensuring that the pilgrims' needs are met, however, pilgrims without Hajj authorization from the authorities organizing the process often find themselves either without guidance or far from several places offering assistance. Facilities, including buses, are pre-arranged and conveniently accommodate regular pilgrims who have registered in advance. Some governments have acknowledged the existence of fraud by some travel companies to transport pilgrims illegally due to the great pressure on visas and costs. To tackle this, the Kingdom has issued an extensive awareness campaign ahead of this year's Hajj season, warning against fraud Hajj announcements and warning pilgrims from embarking on the journey without authorization. The Kingdom has also warned facilitators of violators from breaking the law under the threat of being held accountable legally. Climate change an important factor Climate studies have raised the alarm about further increases in temperatures in the coming years. The scientific journal Geophysical Research Letters previously noted this in a 2019 study, stating that climate change will raise heat stress for pilgrims to levels exceeding the threshold for severe danger in the coming years. A study from King Faisal Specialist Hospital found that temperatures in Mecca are rising at a rate of 0.4 degrees Celsius per decade, but heatstroke cases have dropped by 74.6 percent, resulting in a nearly halved mortality rate. To tackle the rising temperatures, the Saudi government has implemented many measures. These include spray fans and water mist columns to cool open spaces, the distribution of water and umbrellas, the provision of air-conditioned transportation, free medical services during the Hajj, in addition to painting the asphalt surfaces of the Namirah Mosque, near Mount Arafat, to lower temperatures.
Times of Oman
an hour ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Omani Hajj Mission participates in Grand Hajj Symposium in Jeddah
Jeddah: The Omani Hajj mission took part in the 49th edition of the Grand Hajj Symposium, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in collaboration with the Council of Senior Scholars and King Abdulaziz Foundation. Held under the theme "Capability in Hajj and Contemporary Developments," the event took place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jeddah. Since its inception in 1397 AH (1977), the symposium has served as a leading knowledge platform, fostering scholarly and intellectual exchange among Islamic scholars and thinkers. It focuses on the religious, cultural, and social dimensions of Hajj, highlights Saudi Arabia's achievements in serving the guests of the Most Merciful, and showcases pioneering projects in the Two Holy Mosques. Additionally, it promotes intellectual dialogue to address challenges facing the Islamic world. The symposium commenced with a special meeting for heads of Hajj affairs offices from various Islamic countries, including the Omani delegation, to discuss coordination and cooperation in serving pilgrims. The opening session featured welcoming remarks, followed by the first main session, titled "Facilitating the Ritual and Empowering Pilgrims: Saudi Arabia's Vision in Serving Hajj Performers." This session highlighted the Kingdom's efforts in streamlining pilgrims' journeys—from arrival to departure—providing integrated healthcare, and ensuring their safety through security measures and regulatory permits. It also reviewed infrastructure development projects in Makkah and the holy sites. The second session, "The Concept of Capability in Islam and Its Role in Facilitating Hajj," discussed topics such as physical and financial capability (istita'ah) and the importance of educating pilgrims on its jurisprudential aspects. On the sidelines of the symposium, specialized workshops were held, with participation from the Omani Hajj mission, including sessions on healthcare services, and media and awareness. These aimed to enhance service quality for pilgrims and craft a global narrative for Hajj. The event concluded with a final statement emphasizing the need for stronger cooperation among Islamic nations to serve pilgrims and address contemporary challenges. Held for over four decades, the Grand Hajj Symposium underscores Saudi Arabia's role as a religious and cultural beacon. Oman's participation reflects its commitment to contributing to this intellectual forum, which fosters dialogue and unifies efforts to improve the Hajj experience. On the sidelines, Tawfiq Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah met with Ahmed Saleh Al Rashdi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and head of the Omani Hajj mission, along with heads of Hajj delegations from several brotherly and friendly countries. They discussed various topics related to organizing pilgrims' affairs.
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 hours ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Water Authority Conducts 5,000 Inspections on Water Networks in Holy Sites, Makkah
The Saudi Water Authority (SWA), in collaboration with partners in the water sector, is conducting intensive inspection tours across the holy sites and Makkah to ensure the readiness and reliability of water supply systems for this year's Hajj. As the peak Hajj season approaches, the authority is intensifying its monitoring of 14 critical water service networks in Makkah and the holy sites, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday. These networks represent one of the world's most advanced and integrated water infrastructures, dedicated to serving pilgrims. They encompass potable water systems, sewage networks, cooling water, sprinkler systems, and firefighting infrastructure. Specialized teams continuously monitor these networks to maintain operational readiness, anticipate potential malfunctions, and promptly identify any technical issues or operational violations, enabling immediate corrective action. As part of an early monitoring strategy, approximately 5,000 inspection rounds have been carried out by 12 dedicated field teams, totaling over 2,000 hours of on-site work to date.
Arabian Business
4 hours ago
- General
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia issues Hajj heat warning
Saudi Arabia has issued safety warnings to Hajj pilgrims amid extreme heat forecasts. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has urged pilgrims to remain in their tents on Arafah Day from 10am to 4pm and advised against venturing to Jabal Al Rahmah or Namirah Mosque to avoid exposure to extreme heat. As part of its heightened efforts to prepare for the Hajj season 1446 AH and ensure that pilgrims can perform their rituals with ease and tranquillity, the Ministry issued safety guidelines in light of high temperatures at the holy sites. Saudi Hajj heat warning The ministry emphasised the importance of adhering to the authorisation schedules set by the relevant authorities and ensuring compliance at all stages of movement between the holy sites. It also stressed the necessity of using the approved means of transport, as outlined in the official transportation plan, and refraining from walking between locations during the designated times. The ministry also reminded pilgrims of the importance of safeguarding the 'Nusuk' card and presenting it when requested. Every pilgrim is required to carry the card while in the holy sites and must ensure it is not misplaced, as it serves as a vital identification document that facilitates access and provides assistance when necessary. The ministry stressed the need to follow these guidelines to ensure the safety of all pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah highlighted to the representatives of service provider companies the importance of urging pilgrims to adhere to the ministry's guidelines to ensure their safety, allowing them to perform their rituals with ease and tranquillity.
Asharq Al-Awsat
7 hours ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Interior Minister Oversees Annual Ceremony for Hajj Security Forces
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, inspected the preparedness of the Hajj Security Forces to carry out their field duties in maintaining the security and safety of the pilgrims. The inspection took place during the minister's patronage of the annual ceremony organized by the participating forces for the 1446 AH Hajj season. In a speech during the ceremony, Director of Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Lieutenant-General Mohammad bin Abdullah Al-Bassami, Director of the Security Committee, affirmed that the wise leadership has mobilized all capabilities and resources to prioritize services for the Hajj and well-care of the pilgrims. He noted that these significant efforts have produced exemplary outcomes in crowd management, coordination, planning, and integration among various sectors, achieving the desired results and ensuring the pilgrims experience the highest levels of security and safety. Al-Bassami also emphasized that the Hajj Security Forces are at the highest level of readiness and fully capable of responding firmly and effectively to any threats to pilgrims' security or disruptions to their rituals, ensuring a safe environment for them to perform their rites. The ceremony included field exercises simulating various security scenarios, displays of security vehicles and advanced equipment, in addition to showcasing security aviation and specialized vehicles used during the Hajj season. The ceremony was attended by several princes and officials.
