MAKKAH – More than a million Muslims have begun the annual Hajj pilgrimage under blazing heat, with temperatures expected to exceed 40°C (104°F), prompting Saudi authorities to implement enhanced safety measures to prevent a repeat of last year’s tragic fatalities.
About 1.4 million pilgrims from around the world have arrived in the Kingdom for the multi-day ritual, a key pillar of Islam obligatory for all able Muslims at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage started on Wednesday with the tawaf — the traditional circumambulation of the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
Pilgrims will then proceed to Mina, a vast tented city, ahead of the Hajj’s spiritual climax: prayers at Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is believed to have delivered his final sermon.
After last year’s devastating heatwave, which claimed over 1,300 lives, Saudi authorities have significantly increased precautions. These include expanding shaded areas by 50,000 square meters, deploying more than 400 cooling units, mobilizing 250,000 personnel, and utilizing AI and drones for real-time crowd management.
Unregistered pilgrims, who lack access to essential facilities, accounted for most of last year’s deaths. This year, Saudi officials are intensifying efforts to curb unauthorized Hajj participation through surveillance, alerts, and on-ground enforcement.
Despite high costs and strict quotas, many continue to attempt the pilgrimage without permits. Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites, earns billions annually from Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
