Over 2 Million Pilgrims Gather at Saudi Hajj Amid Heat Safety Measures

This year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has drawn over 1.5 million foreign pilgrims, with total attendance nearing two million, as Muslims from around the world converge to fulfill this core religious obligation. Pilgrims face extreme heat conditions, with temperatures reaching up to 42°C near Mount Arafat, the pilgrimage's spiritual peak where Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon. In response to last year's deadly heatwave, Saudi authorities have significantly enhanced safety measures, including planting thousands of trees for shade, deploying over 400 cooling units, expanding shaded areas by 50,000 square meters, tripling paramedic numbers, and utilizing drones for crowd monitoring and medicine delivery. The Great Mosque is also equipped with the world's largest air conditioning system to maintain comfortable temperatures. Efforts to prevent unregistered pilgrims from participating have been intensified through checkpoints, drone surveillance, and text alerts, turning away over 260,000 individuals so far. These measures aim not only to protect pilgrims but also support Saudi Arabia's economic diversification through religious tourism in Mecca and Medina.