More than 1300 people died Between 14 and 19 June 2024 on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca due to extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 50 °C (122 °F), making it the deadliest Hajj. The fatalities included more than 600 pilgrims from Egypt, 165 pilgrims from Indonesia, 98 from India and dozens more from Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Malaysia. Almost 35 pilgrims from Pakistan also included in the deaths. Unprecedented heatwaves in Saudi Arabia are believed to be a major factor behind the high death toll. Unofficial Hajj” is believed to contribute to the excess deaths and authorities have blamed them for some of the overcrowding in tents. Mismanagement by Saudi authorities exacerbated the extreme conditions, leading to a crisis in many areas designated for pilgrims. What was supposed to take 10 minutes by walk was taking 3 to 4 hours because many pilgrims were not aware of the route closures, which authorities had implemented to manage crowds. Street closures near Mina, where pilgrims perform a ritual symbolizing the stoning of the devil, meant that people had to walk for hours in “searing heat.” One reason there are may be many deaths every year at the Hajj is that many pilgrims go towards the end of their life, after saving for a lifetime. Many Muslims also go in the hopes that if they die, it is during the Hajj – as it is considered to be a blessing to die and be buried in the holy city.
There have been numerous incidents during the Hajj that have caused loss of life. In 2015 a stampede in Mina killed over 2,400 pilgrims, the deadliest incident ever to strike the pilgrimage. A crane fell in the grand mosque on 11 September 2015, ten days before Hajj, causing 111 deaths and 394 injuries. According to VOX media, more than 90,000 pilgrims died on Hajj or Umrah from 2002 to 2015. 76 people died and 62 people were injured due to the collapsed of the four-storey hostel, Lulu’at al-Khair, situated on al-Ghazal Street, just 60 metres (200 ft) from the walls of Masjid al-Haram
The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. More than 1.83 million Muslims performed the Hajj in 2024, including more than 1.6 million from 22 countries, and around 222,000 Saudi citizens and residents, according to the Saudi Hajj authorities. Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars on crowd control and safety measures for those attending the annual five-day pilgrimage, but the sheer number of participants makes it difficult to ensure their safety. Unregistered pilgrims were reportedly deprived access to public facilities like air-conditioned tents, misting centers, transportation, or water rehydration areas. High official Hajj costs are considered a primary factor driving unregistered status, with many tour companies sending pilgrims without Hajj permits on mandatory personal visit visas. Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel said that 83% of the deaths were unauthorized pilgrims who had walked long distances in the heat. Official Hajj permits typically include dorm or hotel accommodations and transportation around Mecca, but many people cannot afford them, which can cost up to $10,000. As a result, scores of unauthorized pilgrims often make their way without the proper visas or registration. Saudi authorities have an obligation to protect people’s health from known hazards like extreme heat, which the climate crisis is only making more frequent and intense. Beyond Hajj, they should implement heat protection measures to better safeguard the health of all those at risk. Improved medical infrastructure, flexible or staggered schedules for conducting different ceremonies; and more shading or pavilions for worshipers are just some of the simple ways the kingdom could address the problem. Pilgrims also need to be better educated and more aware. I would also blame the pilgrims themselves and urged them to show tolerance towards each other when performing rituals. Following are some suggestions to make the HAJJ much economical.
- Advanced preparations and more cost-effective travel options, such as traveling by ship or road, which will make Hajj more affordable for pilgrims.
- A good Planning to reduce the tour from 40 days to 20 days that would reduce the living, transportation, food etc. financial cost.
- Insist/request the Saudi authorities to take the steps controlling the vendors, dealers, traders etc. for price control during HAJJ season.
- A zero tolerance on corruption as well as mismanagement by the concern departments. Emphasis on accountability through practical actions rather than mere paperwork and empty slogans like improving in the future.
- Hajj organisers and operating organisations/ agencies may be taken care of regularly. Monitoring and inspection of all their matters from time to time during the Hajj season is strictly necessary to protect pilgrims from fraud.
- Appeal to the KSA King, the custodian of the two Holy Mosques for declaring the senior citizens (age of above 70) as the “GUEST OF THE KING” to grant them the opportunity to perform free Hajj.
Hajj leads to the pilgrim becoming a God-oriented person. It is a profound spiritual experience that wipes away sins, brings them closer to God and highlights Muslim unity. Faith, sacrifice, and community are therefore key values which must be promoted by the pilgrims as well as the organisers.
The author is a professor of Islamic Studies at Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan.
