By D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
Hundreds of pilgrims have died and thousands have been treated for heatstroke during this year's annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, as temperatures soar to 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit). The Saudi General Authority for Statistics reports that more than 1.8 million people are participating in this year's Hajj, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
Rising Death Toll and Health Crisis
The extreme heat has taken a heavy toll on pilgrims, with CNN Indonesia reporting that 165 Indonesians are among the deceased. Additionally, 41 Jordanians, 35 Tunisians, and 11 Iranians have died, according to respective national authorities. The Iranian Red Crescent also noted that 22 Jordanians are missing, and 26 Iranians have been hospitalized, with some fatalities attributed to heatstroke and others to pre existing conditions. The death toll is expected to rise as Saudi Arabia and Egypt have yet to release official figures, and many unregistered pilgrim's deaths might remain unreported.
The Saudi government has reported that over 2,700 people have been treated for heatstroke. Amidst these conditions, there has been a surge of social media posts from people searching for their missing loved ones. This year’s Hajj is particularly challenging due to its occurrence in June, one of the hottest months in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi authorities have advised pilgrims to avoid performing the “stoning of the devil” ritual during peak heat hours and have emphasized the importance of using umbrellas and staying hydrated. The Saudi army has deployed more than 1,600 personnel with medical units for heatstroke, alongside 30 rapid response teams and 5,000 health and first aid volunteers.
Economic and Spiritual Significance
Performing Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, obligating every Muslim who is physically and financially able to undertake the journey to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage involves a series of rituals, including donning a special garment symbolizing equality and unity before God, circumnavigating the Kaaba, and the symbolic stoning of evil.
The Hajj is not only a spiritual journey but also a source of prestige and revenue for Saudi Arabia. The Saudi king, titled Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, oversees the event, which significantly contributes to the national economy. In 2015, King Salman bin Abdulaziz initiated a $21 billion project to expand the Grand Mosque in Mecca to accommodate 300,000 more worshippers. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has highlighted the Hajj pilgrimage as a critical element of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. Although the financial benefits from the pilgrimage are currently marginal compared to the kingdom's substantial oil revenues, experts suggest its potential for long term economic gains. Official data cited by Reuters indicated that pilgrimage revenues could average about $30 billion annually and generate 100,000 jobs when the kingdom hosts around 21 million worshippers annually during Hajj and the yearlong Umrah pilgrimage. The government aims to attract 30 million pilgrims by 2030.