Heat and faith: Massive Hajj pilgrimage starts under tight security

More than a million Muslims have converged on Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, with Saudi authorities promising a safer experience this year through enhanced heat-mitigation strategies and stricter control of unauthorized pilgrims. 

Temperatures are expected to soar above 40°C (104°F) this week, as one of the world’s largest religious gatherings officially begins on Wednesday.

Spanning five to six days and conducted primarily outdoors, the Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, a mandatory duty for every Muslim who is physically and financially able to undertake it at least once in their lifetime. As of Sunday, over 1.4 million pilgrims had already arrived in Saudi Arabia, according to official data.

In 2024, temperatures hit a deadly 51.8°C (125.2°F), resulting in more than 1,300 deaths. In response, Saudi Arabia has mobilized over 40 government agencies and 250,000 staff this year to mitigate heat-related risks. Covered walkways have been expanded by 50,000 square meters, thousands of additional emergency personnel will be on site, and more than 400 cold water stations and countless misting devices are being deployed throughout the holy sites.

The government is also relying on the latest artificial intelligence technology and data collected via a newly deployed fleet of drones to monitor crowd movement and improve logistical efficiency.

Despite the extreme heat, many pilgrims express joy and gratitude upon arriving.

This year, Saudi Arabia has launched a wide-scale crackdown on unauthorized pilgrims. Police operations, surveillance, and public awareness campaigns have been intensified. “No Hajj without a permit” is the message emblazoned on billboards, shopping malls, and media outlets across the kingdom.

As of Sunday, nearly 270,000 people were turned away at Mecca’s entry points due to a lack of proper permits. Although permits are distributed through a lottery system in each country, the high cost pushes many to seek cheaper, unofficial routes—now increasingly targeted by authorities.

This problem has worsened as Saudi Arabia eased visa policies under its “Vision 2030” plan to attract tourists and foreign investment. Illegal pilgrims now face doubled fines of 20,000 rials (€4,720) and a 10-year ban from entering the country.

Crowd control remains a major challenge. In 2015, a stampede claimed around 2,300 lives—the deadliest disaster in Hajj history.

Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s two holiest cities—Mecca and Medina—earns billions annually from the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. These events also bolster the kingdom’s religious authority, with the monarch titled the “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.”

For many, the journey remains deeply emotional and spiritual. “I cried with joy when I touched the Kaaba,” said 52-year-old Mariama from Senegal. “I had been dreaming of this moment for so long.”