Hajj at 44°C: Over 1.7 Million Devotees Fulfill Sacred Duty

(Patria) - More than 1.7 million Muslims completed the key rituals of Hajj during the first day of Eid al-Adha in Mecca, while facing extremely high temperatures that hit the holy sites in Saudi Arabia.

Devotees from all corners of the world have arrived in the Valley of Mina and other holy sites to fulfill one of the fundamental Islamic duties.

Scorching heat marked this year's pilgrimage. Temperatures in Mecca and Mina reached up to 44 degrees Celsius, causing thousands of pilgrims to seek shelter under tents, cooling stations, and water sprayers set up by Saudi authorities.

Following the tragedy in 2024, when over 1,300 people died during Hajj due to extreme heat, organizers have raised the level of security and health measures this year.

Huge fans, ground cooling systems, additional drinking water stations, and mobile emergency teams have been set up at multiple locations.

A large number of trucks distribute bottled water to pilgrims daily, while health services continuously warn about the dangers of heatstroke and dehydration. Despite the difficult weather conditions, the rituals are proceeding without major incidents.

This year's Hajj is also taking place amidst increased tensions in the Middle East.

The unstable security situation, including tensions between Iran and Western allies, has raised concerns about security in the region, but this has not significantly affected the number of pilgrims who have arrived in Saudi Arabia.

The day before Eid al-Adha, pilgrims stayed on Mount Arafat, a place of special significance in Islam where Prophet Muhammad delivered his farewell sermon.

After sunset, the devotees proceeded to Muzdalifah, where they spent the night outdoors, under the open sky. There, they collected pebbles used in the symbolic ritual of stoning the devil in Mina.

Upon completion of this part of the Hajj, rivers of people returned to Mecca to perform the final Tawaf, the circumambulation of the Kaaba, which represents one of the most important moments of the entire pilgrimage.