With heightened awareness after last year's tragic deaths, improved infrastructure aims to protect pilgrims during the holy journey.
**Saudi Authorities Implement Robust Safety Measures for Hajj Amidst Extreme Heat**
**Saudi Authorities Implement Robust Safety Measures for Hajj Amidst Extreme Heat**
As Hajj draws over 1.4 million pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi officials adopt strict guidelines to prevent heat-related incidents.
In Mecca, Saudi Arabia, more than 1.4 million Muslims are commencing this year's Hajj pilgrimage, with authorities on high alert following the tragic loss of 1,300 lives during extreme heat conditions last year. To combat the rising temperatures, which are expected to peak at 44°C (111°F), the Saudi government has initiated a series of proactive measures aimed at ensuring the safety of the faithful.
Among the efforts, officials have planted thousands of trees and installed hundreds of cooling units throughout Mecca to provide relief from the heat. They have enforced strict regulations by barring children under the age of 12 from participating and warning pilgrims without valid permits of fines up to $5,000 (£3,685) as well as a potential 10-year ban from entering the kingdom. As of Sunday, authorities reported halting over 269,000 individuals attempting to enter Mecca unregistered.
The majority of last year’s fatalities occurred among unregistered pilgrims who lacked necessary access to air-conditioned facilities, transportation, and services, specifically those who entered on tourist visas due to the high cost of official Hajj packages ranging from $4,000 to $20,000.
The Hajj pilgrimage is a significant religious event, one of the five Pillars of Islam, that every adult Muslim must make at least once if capable. Participants begin their journey dressed in Ihram, a simple white garment representing purity, and gather at the Grand Mosque to perform the tawaf—circumambulating the Kaaba—and take part in other sacred rites over the following days.
Saudi health authorities have recommended that pilgrims adhere to guidelines aimed at minimizing heat exposure, such as avoiding sun exposure from 10 AM to 4 PM, seeking shelter under umbrellas, and staying hydrated. They have expanded shaded areas by 50,000 square meters (12 acres) and deployed over 400 cooling units. Notably, the Grand Mosque is equipped with the world’s largest cooling system, according to local media.
Additionally, infrastructure improvements have included the construction of rubberized and cooled roads, while artificial intelligence will be utilized to manage drone fleets for monitoring crowd dynamics, aiming to prevent occurrences reminiscent of the 2015 Mina stampede, which resulted in over 2,300 deaths during the Hajj.
Among the efforts, officials have planted thousands of trees and installed hundreds of cooling units throughout Mecca to provide relief from the heat. They have enforced strict regulations by barring children under the age of 12 from participating and warning pilgrims without valid permits of fines up to $5,000 (£3,685) as well as a potential 10-year ban from entering the kingdom. As of Sunday, authorities reported halting over 269,000 individuals attempting to enter Mecca unregistered.
The majority of last year’s fatalities occurred among unregistered pilgrims who lacked necessary access to air-conditioned facilities, transportation, and services, specifically those who entered on tourist visas due to the high cost of official Hajj packages ranging from $4,000 to $20,000.
The Hajj pilgrimage is a significant religious event, one of the five Pillars of Islam, that every adult Muslim must make at least once if capable. Participants begin their journey dressed in Ihram, a simple white garment representing purity, and gather at the Grand Mosque to perform the tawaf—circumambulating the Kaaba—and take part in other sacred rites over the following days.
Saudi health authorities have recommended that pilgrims adhere to guidelines aimed at minimizing heat exposure, such as avoiding sun exposure from 10 AM to 4 PM, seeking shelter under umbrellas, and staying hydrated. They have expanded shaded areas by 50,000 square meters (12 acres) and deployed over 400 cooling units. Notably, the Grand Mosque is equipped with the world’s largest cooling system, according to local media.
Additionally, infrastructure improvements have included the construction of rubberized and cooled roads, while artificial intelligence will be utilized to manage drone fleets for monitoring crowd dynamics, aiming to prevent occurrences reminiscent of the 2015 Mina stampede, which resulted in over 2,300 deaths during the Hajj.
