The Kashmir Dialogues
Riyadh, June 15: More than 1.5 million Muslims gathered on Mount Arafat today, enduring blistering temperatures as high as 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 degrees Fahrenheit), for the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The worshippers, hailing from various corners of the globe, ascended the 70-meter (230-feet) rocky hill, located approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Mecca, where Prophet Mohammed delivered his last sermon.
The Hajj pilgrimage, spanning at least five days and predominantly conducted outdoors, poses significant challenges, particularly under the harsh desert sun. “The Hajj is not easy because it is very hot,” remarked Abraman Hawa, 26, from Ghana. “But I will pray to Allah at Arafat, because I need his support.”
Saudi authorities have urged pilgrims to stay hydrated and shield themselves from the sun, as the intense heat can lead to heat-related illnesses. Last year alone, over 10,000 such cases were reported, with heat stroke accounting for 10% of them.
Climate change has also begun to impact the Hajj, with regional temperatures rising by 0.4 degrees Celsius per decade, according to a Saudi study. Despite these challenges, Mohammed Farouk, a 60-year-old Pakistani pilgrim, emphasized the pilgrimage’s profound significance: “The Hajj is very important for me as a Muslim.”
The pilgrims spent the preceding night in a sprawling tented city in Mina, a valley outside Mecca, where they were accommodated based on nationality and the package they had purchased for the pilgrimage. Following their prayers at Arafat, they will proceed to Muzdalifah to collect pebbles for the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual in Mina on Sunday.
The Hajj pilgrimage traces the footsteps of Prophet Mohammed’s final pilgrimage over 1,400 years ago and holds immense religious and cultural importance for Muslims worldwide. It serves as a significant source of legitimacy for the Al Saud dynasty, whose monarch carries the title “Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques” in Mecca and Medina.
Moreover, the Hajj pilgrimage is a crucial economic pillar for Saudi Arabia, aligning with the kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy away from oil dependency by developing religious tourism. Last year, Saudi Arabia welcomed over 1.8 million pilgrims for Hajj, with an additional 13.5 million participating in Umrah, the smaller pilgrimage that can be performed year-round.
This year’s Hajj takes place against the backdrop of the ongoing Gaza conflict, which has left a profound impact on Muslims worldwide.
