More than one million Muslim pilgrims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca on Wednesday, with Saudi authorities stepping up safety measures after last year’s tragedy, when over 1,300 people died due to extreme heat.
The Hajj is one of Islam’s five pillars and a religious obligation for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake it © Mena Today
More than one million Muslim pilgrims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca on Wednesday, with Saudi authorities stepping up safety measures after last year’s tragedy, when over 1,300 people died due to extreme heat.
Under temperatures reaching 42°C (108°F), pilgrims performed the tawaf, circling the Kaaba at the heart of the Grand Mosque. Many then made their way to Mina, a tent-filled valley outside Mecca, where they will spend the night before heading to Mount Arafat — the spiritual peak of the pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia has deployed 250,000 workers and over 40 agencies, expanded shaded areas by 50,000 square meters, and installed more than 400 cold water stations.
These measures are meant to protect pilgrims from the intense heat, which reached a deadly 51.8°C (125°F) last year, mostly affecting unregistered participants.
To manage the crowds more efficiently, the kingdom is using AI and drone technology. This year’s campaign against unauthorized pilgrims includes strict penalties: a fine of 20,000 riyals (€4,720) and a 10-year entry ban.
The Hajj is one of Islam’s five pillars and a religious obligation for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake it. With 1.5 million foreign pilgrims already in the country, this year’s Hajj is a test of both spiritual endurance and large-scale logistical coordination.
By Hassan El Niraoui
Saudi Arabia has launched an air accident probe following last week's cockpit stabbing on a flydubai jet, as experts examine any fallout for aviation safety alongside a separate UAE-led criminal investigation, three people close to the matter said.
Houthis attacked the international airport in the southern Yemeni town of Aden with ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones early on Wednesday, Yemen's Transport Ministry said, as fighting intensified across several fronts between the Iran-aligned group and Saudi-backed government forces.
Israelis will on Wednesday mark three years since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering a military assault that destroyed much of Gaza, where conditions remain dire despite a year-old ceasefire that is meant to halt the war for good.
To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.