On Thursday, Muslim pilgrims gathered atop Mount Arafat, marking the pinnacle of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. In response to the sweltering temperatures, Saudi officials urged participants to stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day.
In the early hours before dawn, thousands of pilgrims converged on the hill and the adjacent plain, a site revered as the location where the Prophet Mohammed is thought to have delivered his final sermon.
As the sun rose, a number of early arrivals sought refuge from the heat under vibrant umbrellas while countless pilgrims prepared to endure hours of prayer and Koran recitals, marking the most challenging segment of the hajj.
Following sunset, the group will make their way to Muzdalifah, located midway between Arafat and the extensive tent city of Mina. Here, they will collect pebbles in preparation for the symbolic act known as the “stoning of the devil.”
“This is something I used to see every year on the television during Hajj, and I always thought, ‘I wish I could be here,'” remarked 33-year-old Ali from Pakistan, among the 1.5 million pilgrims who have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the sacred journey.
“I have been attempting to reach this destination for the last three years,” he remarked, his eyes fixed on the mountain. “I consider myself fortunate.”
Numerous pilgrims clad in white adorned the mountain, while a significant crowd gathered at its base, engaged in prayer or capturing photographs.
Earlier this week, Saudi authorities urged pilgrims to remain in their tents from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Thursday, during the peak hours of the intense desert sun.
At the base of the mountain, fans spraying mist and delivering cool air were cleared away.
This week marked the commencement of one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings, drawing devotees from across the globe as temperatures soared past 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
In a proactive response to last year’s tragic events during the hajj, officials are intensifying their heat mitigation strategies. This comes after the alarming death toll of 1,301 pilgrims, which coincided with record temperatures soaring to 51.8C.
“I arrived early to escape the sun, and later, I will pray inside my tent,” stated 54-year-old Adel Ismail, originally from Syria.
Authorities have enhanced safety measures during this year’s pilgrimage by expanding infrastructure, deploying thousands of additional personnel, and using advanced technology to improve crowd management.
In response to the deadly heatwave of 2024, authorities have activated over 40 government agencies and deployed 250,000 officials, significantly intensifying their efforts to combat heat-related illnesses.
The hajj minister informed AFP that shaded areas had been increased by 50,000 square meters (12 acres), thousands of additional medics were prepared to assist, and over 400 cooling units were set to be deployed.
Visibly moved, Iman Abdel Khaleq expressed her deep desire to undertake the Hajj for a decade, and her emotions surged as she reached Arafat.
“It’s a significant aspiration that I had nearly lost hope of achieving,” the woman in her fifties shared with AFP from the base of the mountain.
Officials reported that most of the fatalities in 2024 involved unregistered pilgrims who were deprived of essential amenities such as air-conditioned tents and transportation services.
This year, authorities have intensified efforts to apprehend unregistered pilgrims attempting to enter Mecca, employing a combination of frequent raids, drone surveillance, and text alerts to bolster their enforcement measures.
The allocation of Hajj permits is determined by a quota system assigned to various countries, with distribution to individuals conducted through a lottery process.
However, for individuals who manage to secure the necessary permits, the exorbitant expenses lead many to undertake the hajj without authorization, despite the potential consequences of arrest and deportation if apprehended.
Saudi Arabia generates billions of dollars annually from the Hajj pilgrimage and Umrah, which occur at various times throughout the year.
