Pilgrims are flocking to Mecca amidst warnings of heat

Pilgrims to the Holy Kaaba continue to arrive in Mecca by air, sea, and land, preparing to perform the Hajj rituals amidst medical and official warnings for pilgrims to avoid the risks of high temperatures this year.

Saudi authorities have affirmed their readiness to receive the pilgrims and announced the preparation of all facilities and services to ensure their safety.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, inspected the readiness of the “Hajj Security Forces” to carry out their tasks in preserving the security and safety of the pilgrims.

The minister emphasized that the Hajj Security Forces are fully prepared and equipped to deal with the utmost rigor and strength to confront anything that might disturb the peace of the pilgrims, ensuring their rituals are performed with ease and tranquility.

A significant challenge

On the other hand, the Saudi Ministry of Health emphasized that this year’s Hajj season faces a significant challenge due to the substantial increase in temperatures, ranging between 45 and 48 degrees Celsius, posing a health risk to the pilgrims.

Dr. Mohammed al-Abd Al-Aali, the official spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Health, stressed the importance of pilgrims following the health guidelines issued by the ministry, including carrying umbrellas to avoid direct exposure to the sun’s rays, drinking sufficient amounts of water, and ensuring to take breaks between rituals to reduce heat exhaustion and stress.

He also emphasized the necessity for pilgrims to adhere to these instructions to ensure their safety and health during the Hajj rituals, affirming that the ministry is making every effort to provide a healthy and safe environment for the pilgrims under these difficult climatic conditions.

It is worth mentioning that the National Center of Meteorology announced the weather conditions in the holy sites for this year’s Hajj season, varying between hot to extremely hot temperatures ranging from 45 to 48 degrees Celsius, with little chance of rain.

According to Saudi Minister of Hajj, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the number of pilgrims who have arrived in the Kingdom so far has reached 1.2 million.

The 2023 season witnessed more than 1.8 million pilgrims, marking the first complete return of pilgrims since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019, according to official data.