-1748610386750.webp)
- By Supratik Das
- Fri, 30 May 2025 04:01 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Saudi Arabia is gearing up for one of the hottest Hajj pilgrimages in recent history with a broad range of enhanced safety features aimed at avoiding a repeat of last year's disaster, when over 1,100 pilgrims lost their lives, most due to heat-related complications. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah unveiled a multi-faceted action plan comprising the use of sophisticated artificial intelligence, thousands of misting units, increased shaded spaces, and an intense permit regime. The pilgrimage this year will start on June 4, 2025, and be held mostly outside under scorching summer temperatures.
In 2024, Mecca and other holy grounds experienced temperatures as high as almost 52°C (125.6°F), claiming more than 1,100 pilgrims' lives, with Egypt, Indonesia, and India being among the worst-affected countries. Many of these victims were due to unauthorised pilgrims without access to air-conditioned shelters as well as official medical care. Government officials confirmed that over 80 per cent of the victims did not possess valid Hajj permits, leaving them vulnerable to potentially life-threatening heat without the protections afforded to registered pilgrims. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had clarified that a total of 98 Indian pilgrims had died during the Hajj yatra 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
AI Surveillance, Drone Monitoring, and Rapid Response
In order to avoid a repeat of such deaths, Saudi Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah announced that AI-powered surveillance systems will be in place throughout Mecca this year. The systems will track crowd movement, body temperature, and real-time images from a new squadron of drones. "We deploy sophisticated AI technologies for this monitoring and receive immediate feedback," the minister explained in an exclusive interview in Riyadh. "Crowd management is really important—particularly in the heat," he said.
-1748610412108.jpg)
Muslim pilgrims hold hands as they walk with umbrellas to the site where people take part in the Satan stoning ritual, during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia | Credit: Reuters
The government has increased shaded spaces by more than 50,000 square metres (12 acres) and is installing over 400 cooling units, such as misting machines, cold air blowers, and heat shelters. Heat-reducing coatings have been applied to asphalt surfaces in walkways, reducing ground temperatures dramatically. A 250,000-strong army of personnel, including medical professionals and security officers, will be stationed during the pilgrimage to react quickly to heatstroke and other emergencies.
A countrywide crackdown on illegal Hajj travel has also been initiated by authorities. In last year's tragedy, it was revealed how unregistered pilgrims, who are usually arranged by wayward travel agents, were most affected because they lacked access to official services. This year, penalties and fines have been doubled, including a possible 10-year Saudi Arabia ban for those who violate the rules. Already, some nations, such as Egypt, have acted by suspending tour operators and prosecuting companies for running illegal pilgrimages.
-1748610497544.jpg)
A Muslim pilgrim pours water on his head to cool down from the heat | Credit: Reuters
The 2025 Hajj falls at a time when the world is experiencing unprecedented extreme heat incidents. Heatwaves in Asia, Europe, and North Africa are already taking lives and triggering wildfires, making it imperative to have climate-resilient Hajj planning. Saudi Arabia's enhanced Hajj safety protocols are being monitored by international health and religious groups as a model for large religious events in the increasingly hot world.