1.5 Million Hajj Pilgrims Pray on Mount Arafat as Heat Nears 40C
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 26
1.5 Million Hajj Pilgrims Pray on Mount Arafat as Heat Nears 40C
9 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 26
More than 1.5 million Muslims gathered on Mount Arafat on Tuesday for Hajj’s central rite, with thousands praying from daybreak on the hill near Mecca.
Temperatures climbed toward 40C at Arafat after reaching 44C in Mecca in recent days, prompting Saudi authorities and volunteers to distribute water, parasols and food along the route.
More than 30,000 Iranians still made the pilgrimage, though that was about a third of the 86,000 initially expected, with Iran’s IRNA blaming the wartime situation.
Pilgrims head next to Muzdalifah to collect pebbles before Wednesday’s symbolic stoning ritual in Mina, continuing a five-day journey central to Islam and to Saudi religious legitimacy.
With desert temperatures soaring, can the ancient Hajj rituals survive the escalating threat of climate change without drastic alteration?
As Saudi Arabia deploys AI to manage the Hajj, is it creating a safer pilgrimage or a more exclusive one?
The 2026 Hajj: Record Pilgrim Turnout Amid Extreme Heat, Geopolitical Tensions, and Enhanced Safety Measures
Overview
The 2026 Hajj is underway, drawing a significant number of international pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, even more than in 2024. Pilgrims continue to arrive, showing strong commitment to their religious duties despite immediate challenges. One of the biggest obstacles is the extreme heat in Makkah, especially during key rites at Mount Arafat, where there is little natural shade and heat exposure is intense. To help pilgrims cope, authorities have provided ice cream, giant fans, and umbrellas. These efforts highlight both the resilience of the pilgrims and the proactive measures taken to support their journey in difficult conditions.