[Image of Muslims in a crowd. Credit to Unsplash]

Over 1,300 people died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia due to the extreme high heat over the five days in mid-June.

Temperatures soared above 46 degrees Celsius, posing a fatal challenge for numerous devout Muslims undertaking the sacred journey to Mecca.

The Saudi Health Minister stated that 83 percent of the 1,301 fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances in the scorching heat to perform the Hajj rituals in and around the holy city of Mecca.

These unauthorized pilgrims lacked access to necessary facilities and services, intensifying their vulnerability.

Hajj, an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, is mandatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially capable at least once in their lifetime.

It is a deeply spiritual experience meant to symbolize the unity of the Muslim Ummah and their submission to Allah.

However, this year’s pilgrimage was overshadowed by the extreme weather conditions that claimed numerous lives, particularly affecting elderly pilgrims.

Unauthorized pilgrims, often from less privileged backgrounds, take significant risks to perform the Hajj, frequently using unofficial and less safe means to enter the country.

The lack of access to official facilities and the grueling conditions exacerbated the effects of the extreme heat on these vulnerable groups.

The high temperatures led to severe dehydration, heatstroke, and several other illnesses, overwhelming both the pilgrims and the medical teams on site.

Witnesses described the harrowing scenes of people collapsing, vomiting, and fainting due to the intense heat.

For example, Muhammed Adnan Chishti, a 37-year-old teacher of Islam based in Hong Kong, stated, “People were falling on the streets.”

“What was supposed to take 10 minutes by walk was taking 3 to 4 hours,” Chishti said, adding that many pilgrims were not aware of the route closures, which had been implemented by authorities in an effort to manage crowds.

He further added, “I saw there was a woman next to me, she fainted from the intense heat. We started pouring water on to cool her down and fed her vitamins, but she fainted. She then vomited on my leg. The situation was horrible.”

Reports indicate that mismanagement by Saudi authorities exacerbated extreme conditions during the Hajj pilgrimage, particularly in designated areas.

Pilgrims faced overcrowded tents with inadequate cooling or sanitation facilities, leading to discomfort and increased health risks.

Despite substantial resources allocated by the Saudi government, including numerous medical facilities and personnel, challenges still persisted.

Muhammad Acha, a seasoned Hajj organizer, criticized the authorities for being more controlling than helping, citing closed routes and inadequate emergency provisions.

Experts are urging for a reassessment of current protocols and the development of new strategies to protect pilgrims from extreme heat and other environmental hazards.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, discussions are underway to improve safety measures for future pilgrimages.

This includes stricter monitoring of unauthorized pilgrims to ensure access to essential facilities and enhancements to medical and emergency response infrastructure.

Additionally, a concerted global effort is in progress to mitigate risks from extreme weather events.