Over 1.4 million Muslims have gathered in Mecca to begin this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, taking place just a year after extreme heat led to the deaths of around 1,300 pilgrims.
In response, Saudi authorities have enhanced safety measures to protect participants from the scorching temperatures, which are expected to hit 44°C (111°F). Efforts include the planting of thousands of trees, installation of hundreds of cooling systems, and significant expansion of shaded areas.
Children under the age of 12 have been prohibited from participating, and strict penalties have been introduced for those attempting the pilgrimage without an official permit — including a $5,000 fine and a 10-year ban from re-entry. As of Sunday, more than 269,000 unauthorized visitors have been turned away from Mecca.
Last year, approximately 80% of the deceased pilgrims, many of whom were from Egypt and Indonesia, lacked official registration. Without proper authorization, they were denied access to air-conditioned shelters, transport services, and other critical facilities — all of which became life-saving necessities as temperatures soared to 51°C.
Due to the high cost of official Hajj packages — ranging from $4,000 to $20,000 depending on a pilgrim’s location, duration of stay, and level of accommodation — many choose to enter the country on tourist or visitor visas instead.
The Hajj, a core pillar of Islam, is a mandatory religious journey that every able-bodied and financially capable Muslim is expected to perform at least once in their lifetime. It takes place during the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
On the first day, male pilgrims don two simple white garments, entering a spiritual state known as Ihram, while women wear modest clothing and cover their heads. They then perform rituals at the Grand Mosque, including circling the Kaaba (tawaf) and walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa (sai).
After completing these rites, pilgrims travel 5 km to Mina, where they stay overnight in tents before heading to Mount Arafat — the site of Prophet Muhammad’s final sermon — on Thursday.
To combat heat-related health risks, the Saudi health ministry has advised pilgrims to avoid direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., use umbrellas for shade, and stay hydrated. Enhanced infrastructure includes 50,000 square meters of added shaded space and over 400 cooling units.
The Grand Mosque now houses the world’s largest cooling system, according to Saudi state media. Additionally, rubberized, heat-resistant roads and artificial intelligence–assisted drones have been deployed to help manage large crowds efficiently.
Hajj safety remains a high priority, particularly after past incidents such as the 2015 stampede in Mina, which claimed more than 2,300 lives.
