AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Over 1.2 million pilgrims have already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage amid soaring temperatures.
This year, more than 2 million Muslims from around the globe expected to participate in the pilgrimage, which according to Saudi moon sighting will commence on June 14.
The influx comes after approximately 30 million Muslims, both local and international, undertook the Umrah or minor pilgrimage at the Grand Mosque during the past Islamic sacred month of Ramadan.
In anticipation of the event, the Hajj Projects Office has collaborated with over 50 state agencies to execute 300 initiatives across 2,600 locations. Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al Rabiah, said that since the conclusion of last year’s Hajj, his team has visited 11 countries to discuss investments in projects aimed at assisting pilgrims and addressing potential challenges.
One such initiative is the Mecca Route, utilized by 250,000 pilgrims. This route allows travelers from 11 airports in seven countries - Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco, Bangladesh, Turkey, and the Ivory Coast - to complete Saudi Arabian entry formalities at their home airports, providing them with a direct path to and from Mecca and Medina.
However, this year’s Hajj presents a unique challenge - extreme heat.
With temperatures expected to exceed 44ºC, national meteorology centre chief Ayman Ghulam warned of an average temperature increase of one and a half to two degrees above normal in Mecca and Medina. He also forecasted a relative humidity of 25 per cent, near-zero rain rates, and an average maximum temperature of 44ºC.
In response to these conditions, Abdulrahman Al Sudais, the chief of the Religious Affairs Presidency for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, has urged preachers and imams to shorten their sermons and the Friday noon prayers.
To further mitigate the impact of the heat, Saudi authorities have implemented measures such as cooling roads, pedestrian routes, and installing misting fans and umbrellas in the holy places. Pilgrims are also being advised to stay hydrated and take precautions against the hot weather.
Additional provisions include free Wi-Fi at the Al Anaim and Al Hal mosques in Al Ji’rannah areas, as well as Qarn Al Manaqil and Wadi Muharram miqats, or entry points for pilgrims. Pilgrims will also have access to smart services provided by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, including the Islamic Library’s collection of 3,000 legal and scientific materials available in over 45 languages, and quick answers to common questions, along with instructional videos.
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