Over 1.67 Million Pilgrims Perform Hajj Amid Rising Costs, Safety Measures in Saudi Arabia

This year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has attracted over 1.67 million pilgrims, including more than 1.5 million foreigners, according to the General Authority for Statistics and government sources. The pilgrimage, a central religious obligation in Islam, involves rituals such as the gathering on the Plain of Arafat, which holds profound spiritual significance. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in infrastructure and safety measures, including shaded pathways, increased hospital capacity, artificial intelligence, and drones to monitor pilgrim movements, aiming to reduce heat-related risks and prevent tragedies like the 2015 stampede. Pilgrims require official licenses to participate, with authorities emphasizing that unauthorized pilgrims face hefty fines due to past safety concerns; last year, 83% of deaths occurred among unlicensed pilgrims. Despite the pilgrimage's challenges, including high temperatures, Saudi Arabia continues to prioritize religious tourism as part of its Vision 2030, also evident in developments like the luxury Red Sea tourism project. The experiences of longtime pilgrims reflect both the spiritual importance and evolving logistics of performing Hajj over the decades.