The Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca this year has been marked by a tragic loss of life, with over 1,300 pilgrims succumbing to extreme heat. Saudi authorities reported that the majority of these fatalities were due to heat stress, as temperatures soared to dangerous levels, reaching up to 51 degrees Celsius. The pilgrimage saw participation from over 1.8 million Muslims worldwide, including a significant number from Indonesia and Egypt.
Among the deceased, at least 215 were Indonesians, with many being elderly. The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs noted that most of the deceased were over 50 years old. Heru Jumartiyah, whose 86-year-old father died during the pilgrimage, expressed a mix of sorrow and reverence, highlighting the Islamic belief that dying and being buried in Mecca is considered a blessing.
The Egyptian authorities also reported a high number of deaths, with over 660 Egyptians among the fatalities. The majority of these were unauthorized pilgrims who lacked proper identification and had traveled without the necessary licenses. As a result, Egypt has revoked the licenses of 16 travel agencies that facilitated these unauthorized trips.
The extreme heat, combined with poor infrastructure and the large number of unauthorized pilgrims, has been identified as the primary cause of the high death toll. Many pilgrims were seen fainting and even passing away from heat stress. The Saudi government emphasized that unauthorized pilgrimages contributed significantly to the fatalities, as these pilgrims did not have access to air-conditioned transport or adequate food and water supplies.
The rising temperatures in the Middle East, exacerbated by the climate crisis, pose a growing threat to the safety of Hajj pilgrims. Experts warn that the situation could worsen in the coming years, making the pilgrimage increasingly hazardous. Despite the billions of dollars spent by Saudi Arabia on crowd control and safety measures, the sheer volume of pilgrims makes it challenging to ensure everyone's safety.
The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a significant religious event that every Muslim who is physically and financially able must undertake at least once in their lifetime. However, the increasing risks associated with extreme heat and large crowds highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures and climate action to protect future pilgrims.
- The Indonesian government reported that 241,000 of its citizens were scheduled to participate in this year's Hajj, marking the largest contingent in the country's history. The majority of the Indonesian pilgrims who died were over 50 years old, reflecting the trend of older Muslims undertaking the pilgrimage.
- In response to the high death toll among unauthorized pilgrims, the Egyptian government has launched investigations into travel agencies that facilitated these illegal trips. The agencies are accused of selling tourist visas instead of the required Hajj visas, leaving pilgrims vulnerable to the extreme conditions in Mecca.
- The Saudi Health Minister, Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jajel, mentioned that 95 pilgrims were being treated in hospitals, some of whom were airlifted to Riyadh for specialized care. The identification process for many of the deceased has been delayed due to the lack of proper identification documents.
- The climate crisis poses a significant threat to the future of the Hajj pilgrimage. A study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology predicts that temperatures during the Hajj could exceed the 'extreme danger threshold' in the coming decades, making it increasingly perilous for pilgrims. The Hajj, which follows a lunar calendar, will occur in April in 2029, potentially offering some respite with milder winter temperatures in subsequent years.
