On Monday, Saudi Arabia issued a caution regarding a significant rise in temperatures in Mecca as Muslim pilgrims completed the hajj amid sweltering conditions. More than a dozen deaths linked to the heat have been confirmed.
This year, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings took place amidst the intense Saudi summer once again, with authorities tallying over 2,700 incidents of “heat exhaustion” on Sunday alone, as reported by the health ministry.
Predictions for temperatures on Monday in Mecca and nearby Mina were as high as 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit), the holiest city in Islam where pilgrims were circling the Kaaba. In Mina, pilgrims engaged in the ritual of “stoning the devil,” hurling stones at three concrete walls, marking the final key step of the hajj.
“The holy sites are currently experiencing the highest temperatures since the beginning of the hajj… with temperatures possibly reaching 49 degrees Celsius, and we advise pilgrims not to expose themselves to the sun,” the health ministry advised, as per the state-linked Al-Ekhbariya channel.
Jordan’s foreign ministry reported on Sunday that 14 Jordanian pilgrims had succumbed to sunstroke because of the intense heat, with another 17 individuals listed as “missing.”
Iran noted the passing of five pilgrims without specifying the cause, while Senegal’s foreign ministry mentioned three additional deaths.
The Saudi health ministry disclosed 2,764 cases of heat exhaustion on Sunday, attributed to sun exposure and “non-compliance with guidelines,” which included seeking shade during the hottest periods of the day, typically in the afternoon hours.
“Prevention is paramount, and pilgrims are advised to avoid going out during peak hours unless necessary, or to utilize an umbrella, in order to lower the incidence of heat exhaustion,” the ministry’s statement emphasized.
“Our health recommendations for the upcoming days are straightforward and crucial: carry an umbrella, stay hydrated, and minimize sun exposure.”
The hajj is one of Islam’s five pillars, obligatory for all Muslims who are able to undertake it at least once.
This year, as stated by Saudi authorities, the hajj attracted approximately 1.8 million pilgrims, with 1.6 million arriving from overseas.
Hosting the hajj holds symbolic importance for the Saudi royal family, with King Salman’s official title including “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” in Mecca and Medina.
AFP