Over a million worshippers have begun the annual hajj pilgrimage under intense heat, as Saudi authorities step up safety efforts to avoid a repeat of last year’s deadly conditions that claimed over 1,300 lives.
Temperatures are forecast to soar above 40°C (104°F) as pilgrims dressed in traditional white garments circle the Kaaba — Islam’s holiest shrine — located in the heart of Mecca’s Grand Mosque. This ritual, known as tawaf, marks the official start of the hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, which all Muslims with the physical and financial ability are required to undertake at least once in their lives.
Roughly 1.4 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the multi-day spiritual journey. To mitigate the dangers of extreme heat — last year temperatures hit a staggering 51.8°C (125.2°F) — authorities have expanded shaded areas by 50,000 square meters and deployed over 400 cooling stations. Thousands of medical personnel are also on alert to respond to heat-related emergencies.
New this year, artificial intelligence tools and drone surveillance are being used to monitor crowd movements, manage real-time data, and streamline emergency responses. Saudi officials say these innovations are vital for coordinating the 250,000-strong workforce drawn from over 40 government agencies.
Many fatalities in 2024 were linked to unregistered pilgrims who did not have access to official cooling resources like air-conditioned tents and buses. As a result, Saudi authorities have tightened enforcement against unauthorized pilgrims through raids, text alerts, and AI-driven drone monitoring.
On Wednesday, pilgrims will travel to Mina — a vast tent city — in preparation for the hajj’s spiritual climax: standing in prayer on Mount Arafat, believed to be the site of the Prophet Muhammad’s final sermon.
Before arriving in Mecca, pilgrims must enter a state of spiritual purity called ihram. Men wear seamless white garments to signify equality before God, while women don modest white dresses exposing only their hands and faces.
“I am so happy, it’s such an amazing feeling,” said Reem al-Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi performing hajj for the first time, as pilgrims were welcomed to Mina with traditional offerings of coffee and dates.
