More than 1.5 million international pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj, according to a spokesperson from the Ministry of Hajj.
The annual pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is a religious duty that Muslims are expected to perform at least once in their lives—if they are financially and physically capable. Hajj includes a series of sacred rituals and worship acts centered around the holy city of Mecca.
Ministry spokesperson Ghassan Al-Nuwaimi shared the estimate for foreign participants but did not specify the number of Saudi residents taking part. In 2023, the country welcomed over 1.6 million pilgrims from abroad.
On Wednesday, pilgrims began arriving at Mount Arafat, a significant site in Islam where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon. Many made the journey on foot under scorching temperatures near 40°C (104°F), some pushing elderly family members in wheelchairs or carrying them, while others paused along the way to rest or eat.
Mount Arafat is the focal point of the pilgrimage’s most sacred day. Islamic tradition holds that the Day of Arafat is when God draws closest to the faithful, granting forgiveness for their sins. Pilgrims spend the day in prayer and contemplation from midnight until sunset.
After sunset, they proceed to Muzdalifah, a desert area where they collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual that follows.
Despite Saudi Arabia investing billions in safety and crowd management infrastructure, managing the vast crowds during Hajj remains a significant challenge, especially due to intense heat. To address these concerns, Health Minister Fahad bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel noted earlier in the week that 10,000 trees have been planted for shade, hospital bed availability has been increased, and the number of paramedics on duty has tripled.
