Saudi Arabia relies on registration at HADSCH-DIEPRESS.com for fatal heat
The Hadsch starts on Wednesday. In the previous year there were temperatures of more than 50 degrees, more than 1300 pilgrims died. Most were not registered.
In view of the increasing extreme heat, Saudi Arabia relies on new measures such as AI and a registration obligation on the Haj (Hajj), which starts next Wednesday. « One of the great difficulties that we face year after year is the increase in temperatures, which we measure the highest priority, » said Taufik Al-Rabia, Saudi Arabia’s minister for the Haj.
Last year there were temporarily during the Islamic pilgrimage Temperatures of more than 51 degrees Celsius. According to the authorities, more than 1,300 pilgrims subsequently died. This year, 40 government agencies and 250,000 employees are deployed to reduce the risks caused by the heat, said Al-Rabia. 400 drinking water points and thousands of water lever machines would be used, there are more shady areas and thousands of medical employees are available.
« /> A picture from the previous year: pilgrim in Mecca. APA / AFP / Fadel Senna
There are also « new technologies » to cool the soils. Since 2023, the pilgrimage paths have been covered with white fabric to reduce the temperature of the asphalt by 20 percent. And Saudi Arabia wants to use artificial intelligence (AI) this year to monitor the movements of the pilgrims, said the minister. The AI uses a large number of data and pictures. According to Al-Rabia, these are delivered by drones, among other things, who are supposed to fly over Mecca.
If you don’t register, you have to pay 4,720 euros
After around 2,300 people died during the Hajsch in 2015, a campaign under the title began: « No Hadsch without registration ». According to the Saudi Arabian authorities, 83 percent of the pilgrims who died last year were not registered as pilgrims. Through the paid registration, the faithful can use air -conditioned tents on the way to Mecca.
« Coming without registration, the entire organization and dealing with the crowds confused, » said Al-Rabia. With posters, the authorities draw attention to the obligation to register. If there is no registration, a fine of around 4,720 euros threatens. Pilgrims from abroad also threaten an entry ban for ten years. « We count on all Muslims not to get without registration, » emphasized Al-Rabia. The organizers hope for the support of other countries to enforce the rule.
The six-day pilgrimage to the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every healthy Muslim who can afford it should take part in it at least once in life. According to a Saudi Arabic study published in May 2024, the weather conditions are an increasing challenge: the average temperature during the pilgrimage increases by 0.4 degrees every decade. According to Al-Rabia, more than a million pilgrims from all over the world have already arrived in Saudi Arabia this year to take part. (APA/AFP)
