Million-Plus Pilgrims Begin Hajj

More than a million pilgrims joined Islam's most important rite under a beating sun on Wednesday, as the hajj kicked off with the Saudi hosts scrambling to avoid last year's 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat.

With temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), robed pilgrims slowly circled the Kaaba.

Others have arrived en masse in the sprawling tent city of Mina on Mecca's outskirts, where they will stay overnight before the hajj's high-point Thursday -- prayers on Mount Arafat.

"You feel like you're not in this world," Khitam, a 63-year-old pilgrim, told AFP by phone, saying that "before hajj, I used to watch the Grand Mosque on TV all day."
Authorities said about 1.5 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the hajj.

Authorities have ratcheted up heat protection measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8C.
On Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf.

Before entering Mecca, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behaviour.

Pilgrims arriving on buses had already begun trickling into Mina on Tuesday afternoon, greeted by staff offering them coffee and dates.

"I am so happy, it's such an amazing feeling," said Reem al-Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi performing the pilgrimage for the first time.

Following last year's lethal heatwave, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials to improve protection.

Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last week.

Artificial intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds.

Authorities said most of the deaths last year were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses.

This year, they have cracked down on the unregistered, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts.

A billboard reading "No hajj without permit" greeted pilgrims as they arrived in Mina.

MENAFN04062025000063011010ID1109637284