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Saudi Arabia plans safer Hajj for over 1 million pilgrims in 2025
2025-06-02 20:03:01 / BOTA
Saudi Arabia has stepped up security measures for this year's Hajj, which is set to begin on Wednesday, a year after 1,301 people died due to extreme temperatures during the pilgrimage to Mecca.
With more than 1 million pilgrims set to arrive in the Saudi Kingdom in scorching heat, authorities have tightened security around Mecca to prevent unauthorized pilgrims from entering the holy city.
To alleviate the effects of extreme temperatures, which can reach up to 50°C, authorities have planted 10,000 trees, installed 400 water coolers and used fog machines for cooling.
The government has repeatedly announced through billboards, social media, and television that pilgrims without permits will face an increased fine of $5,000 — double last year — and a 10-year entry ban.
Most of those who died from exhaustion and heat last year were unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to adequate shelter and basic services during the heat.
Security authorities have banned 269,678 unauthorized persons from entering Mecca and have fined over 23,000 Saudi residents for violating Hajj regulations, as well as revoked the licenses of 400 Hajj companies.
In recent years, promoting religious tourism has been part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's strategy for economic diversification away from oil dependence.
Some experts say that the high prices of Hajj packages and the long waiting list in the quota system for places have increased the number of unregistered pilgrims.
In addition to trees and fog machines, authorities are extending the use of "white roads," paved with recycled materials that reduce the absorption of heat from the sun.
A new fleet of drones will stream real-time video to an artificial intelligence app to monitor the movement of pilgrims, in light of the tragic 2015 stampede that killed 2,300 pilgrims.
In Islam, the Hajj is considered the fifth pillar of Islam and is an obligation for every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able to perform it at least once in their lifetime. About 1.5 million pilgrims participate in the Hajj each year, which is determined according to the Islamic calendar.
Meanwhile, Umrah — the lesser pilgrimage — can be performed year-round. The government aims to increase the number of Umrah pilgrims from about 15 million to 30 million by 2030.
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