Overview

• More than 1.4 million pilgrims have gathered in Mecca for Hajj 2025, with officials reporting over 1.5 million foreign participants as rites like tawaf and Mount Arafat prayers begin.
• Temperatures rising above 40°C have prompted health advisories urging pilgrims to limit outdoor exposure during peak hours and use protective gear from official safety kits.
• Saudi authorities expanded shaded areas by 50,000 square metres, deployed more than 400 cooling units, set up hundreds of water stations and mobilised over 50,000 medical staff to mitigate heat risks.
• Security forces have blocked nearly 270,000 unregistered pilgrims, imposed fines up to 20,000 riyals for permit violations and banned children under 12 to safeguard access to air-conditioned facilities.
• The Hajj command centre is using drones with AI algorithms, smart wristbands linked to the Nusuk app and advanced monitoring tools to manage crowds and track pilgrims’ vital signs.