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Join on Telegram Rabat – Saudi Arabian authorities have issued warnings about a severe heatwave affecting Mecca and surrounding areas.
According to a report from AFP, the Health Ministry reported over 2,700 cases of heat exhaustion on Sunday alone.
Temperatures in Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, are expected to soar to a blistering 49 degrees Celsius on Monday. Pilgrims, who have traveled from around the globe, are engaging in vital rituals such as circling the Kaaba and the “stoning of the devil” in nearby Mina, despite the extreme heat.
“The holy sites today record the highest temperatures since the beginning of hajj,” the Health Ministry stated through the state-affiliated Al-Ekhbariya channel. They further stated that they predicted the temperature to reach 49 degrees Celsius, advising “the guests of God not to be exposed to the sun.”
The intense heat has already claimed lives. Jordan’s Foreign Ministry announced that 14 Jordanian pilgrims died from sunstroke, with an additional 17 reported missing. Iran also confirmed the deaths of five pilgrims, while Senegal reported three fatalities.
The Health Ministry attributed the 2,764 cases of heat exhaustion on Sunday to sun exposure and non-compliance with guidelines, which stress the importance of seeking shade during the hottest parts of the day.
“Prevention is the most important, and the commitment of pilgrims not to go out at peak times except when necessary, or to use an umbrella, would reduce the incidence of heat exhaustion,” the ministry advised.
As temperatures continue to climb, the ministry has reiterated the importance of following health guidelines: carrying umbrellas, staying hydrated, and minimizing sun exposure.
This year’s hajj has drawn approximately 1.8 million pilgrims, including 1.6 million from abroad, making it one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, requiring all Muslims who are able to perform it at least once in their lifetime.
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