ISLAMABAD: Over 1.3 million Muslims have gathered in Makkah for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, with Saudi authorities implementing unprecedented heat mitigation measures after last year’s deadly temperatures claimed 1,301 lives.
This year’s rituals, occurring again in peak summer, face forecasts exceeding 40°C (104°F).
Enhanced Safety Measures Deployed
Saudi officials have expanded shaded areas by 50,000 sqm, deployed 400 cooling units, and mobilized 250,000 staff to protect pilgrims. AI-powered drones and surveillance systems monitor crowds, while health teams have already treated 44 heatstroke cases.
“We’re determined to prevent last year’s tragedy,” said Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah. The crackdown on unregistered pilgrims has intensified, with violators facing deportation and 10-year bans.
Pilgrims’ Joy Amid Extreme Conditions
Despite the “very, very hot” conditions described by Nigerian pilgrim Abdulhamid, 27, worshippers expressed spiritual elation. “This is Allah’s blessing,” said Filipino lawyer Abdul Majid Ati near the Kaaba. For Senegalese pilgrim Mariama, 52, the journey fulfilled a lifelong dream.
The Hajj remains a pillar of Islam and key source of Saudi soft power, generating billions annually while testing the kingdom’s crowd-management capabilities in an era of climate extremes.
