Egyptian Government Cracks Down on Illegal Pilgrimages
In response to the tragic deaths of over 1,300 pilgrims in Mecca due to extreme heat, the Egyptian government has taken decisive action against 16 tourism companies involved in illegal pilgrimages. The cabinet meeting held on Saturday revealed that these companies had been operating under dubious practices, including issuing incorrect visas and failing to provide adequate accommodations, forcing pilgrims to endure harsh conditions. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and pledged necessary support.
Extreme Heat and Unsafe Conditions in Mecca
The Hajj pilgrimage, which this year coincided with scorching temperatures of up to 49 degrees Celsius, has proved deadly for many pilgrims. Reports indicate that many pilgrims were forced to enter Mecca via deserted roads on foot, without access to air-conditioned spaces or adequate water supplies. Ahmed, a 44-year-old Indonesian pilgrim, recounted seeing numerous bodies covered with white cloth along the route back home. The total death toll remains unclear, but is expected to rise as more countries report the deaths of their citizens.
- The timing of the Hajj is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, which this year has resulted in extreme heat. Pilgrims often spend many hours walking daily in these harsh conditions, performing various rituals in and around the holy city of Mecca.
- Permits for the Hajj are allocated through a quota system, with Saudi Arabia requiring each pilgrim to purchase one of the 1.8 million licenses available. However, due to the high cost, many attempt to access Mecca illegally, which often means traveling without organized tour buses that provide air-conditioning and easy access to water and supplies.
- A Saudi official estimated that about 400,000 irregular pilgrims, mostly of one nationality, participated in this year's Hajj. The Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, has ordered the formation of a crisis cell to manage the situation concerning the deaths of Egyptian pilgrims.
- The Egyptian Cabinet's Crisis Management Committee reported that the increase in deaths among unregistered Egyptian pilgrims was due to some tourism companies organizing Hajj programs with personal visit visas, preventing proper entry into Mecca and exposing pilgrims to extreme stress and high temperatures.
