Daijiworld Media Network – Riyadh

Riyadh, May 30: With temperatures expected to soar during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, set to begin on June 4, Saudi Arabia is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety of more than a million pilgrims. From advanced artificial intelligence to expanded cooling infrastructure, authorities are deploying a host of measures aimed at mitigating the harsh desert heat.

In a statement to AFP, Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah acknowledged the challenge. “One of the big challenges that we always face is the increasing temperature across the different years. This is an issue that we give top priority,” he noted.

Last year’s Hajj saw a tragic toll of over 1,300 lives lost as mercury levels touched 52°C. In response, the kingdom has launched an extensive campaign involving over 250,000 personnel from 40 government agencies. Key heat-relief measures include:

• 50,000 square metres of additional shaded areas
• More than 400 misting and cooling stations
• Renovation work around the Grand Mosque
• Heat-reflective asphalt on major walkways

In a high-tech upgrade, Saudi Arabia is employing artificial intelligence to monitor pilgrim movements in real time. Drones will relay live footage to command centers to ensure timely crowd control and detect health emergencies swiftly.

“We use advanced AI technologies to do this monitoring and get fast feedback,” Minister Rabiah said, stressing the importance of technology in preventing past tragedies, like the 2015 Mina stampede that claimed over 2,000 lives.

The crackdown on unauthorized pilgrims has also intensified. Authorities revealed that the majority of last year’s heat-related deaths involved those without official Hajj permits—documents that provide access to essential services such as air-conditioned tents and medical assistance.

With checkpoints, patrols, and strict penalties in place, including hefty fines and up to a 10-year ban from entering Saudi Arabia, the government is reinforcing its message: No permit, no pilgrimage.

“Having a permit is very crucial, very important for the safety of all. We count on all Muslims to come only with permits and also we count on all countries to support us,” urged the minister.

As one of the five pillars of Islam, Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for financially and physically capable Muslims. Conducted predominantly outdoors, the pilgrimage demands meticulous heat-management planning, particularly as the rituals fall deep in the summer calendar this year.

Minister Rabiah reaffirmed the kingdom’s unwavering commitment: “The Hajj pilgrimage is a sacred journey that the leadership of the kingdom and the people take seriously. They see it as a duty to work hard to ensure the spiritual fulfilment and safety of pilgrims.”