Over 1.7 Million Pilgrims Gather in Mina as Sacred Hajj Rituals Begin Amid Tight Heat Safety Measures

May 2026 : The annual Hajj pilgrimage formally commenced on Monday as more than 1.7 million Muslim pilgrims from across the world converged on Mina, marking the beginning of the sacred rituals on Yawm al-Tarwiyah, also known as the Day of Tarwiyah.

Dressed in white ihram garments symbolising equality, purity, and submission to Allah, pilgrims moved towards the sprawling tent city of Mina after offering Fajr prayers at the Holy Kaaba in Mecca and performing Tawaf around the Grand Mosque. Echoes of the talbiyah — “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (“Here I am, O Allah, here I am, at Your service”) — filled the air as the faithful embarked on one of Islam’s holiest spiritual journeys.

By noon, nearly all pilgrims had reached Mina, where they spent the day engaged in prayers, supplications, and recitation of the Holy Quran. Mina, located around six kilometres from the Grand Mosque, holds immense religious significance and serves as a crucial stage of the Hajj pilgrimage mentioned in Islamic scriptures and hadiths.

Pilgrims braved extreme summer temperatures while travelling through dedicated shaded pedestrian pathways connecting the holy sites. Thousands carried white and black umbrellas to protect themselves from the scorching sun, while handheld fans and continuous water distribution efforts helped them cope with the intense heat.

Saudi authorities and volunteers arranged extensive cooling measures across the pilgrimage routes and camps. Giant mist-spraying cooling fans were installed at several locations to provide relief from soaring temperatures, while volunteers distributed bottled water to ensure pilgrims remained hydrated throughout the day.

Around 175,000 Indian pilgrims, including more than 4,000 devotees from Jammu and Kashmir, are participating in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. Indian authorities, along with Saudi officials, have deployed a large contingent of medical personnel, support staff, and guides to assist pilgrims and ensure their safety and well-being during the pilgrimage.

Most pilgrims covered the distance between the Grand Mosque and Mina on foot as part of the spiritual experience, while elderly pilgrims, children, and those with health conditions were transported through buses and the Al Mash Al Muqaddassah Metro system, which connects the major Hajj sites.

Pilgrims arriving from different regions, including Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Gulf nations, travelled directly from their accommodations after donning the sacred ihram attire. The atmosphere in Mina reflected deep devotion, humility, and spiritual unity among Muslims from diverse countries and cultures.

Saudi authorities said the Hajj pilgrimage this year is taking place amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing geopolitical concerns linked to the Iran conflict, although a tenuous ceasefire remains in effect. Despite the tense regional environment, officials confirmed that the movement of pilgrims into the Kingdom has continued smoothly.

Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba, Commander of the Hajj Passport Forces, stated that pilgrims had been arriving steadily from across the world under comprehensive security and logistical arrangements designed to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM) issued warnings regarding severe heat conditions expected during the Hajj rituals. According to the NCM, temperatures in Mina are forecast to rise up to 45 degrees Celsius on the Day of Tarwiyah, while minimum temperatures may remain around 28 degrees Celsius.

The meteorological authority also warned of active northwesterly and northerly winds reaching speeds of up to 35 kilometres per hour, accompanied by dusty conditions and partly cloudy skies. Authorities have urged pilgrims to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and strictly follow health advisories.

To monitor weather conditions in real time, the NCM has deployed eight advanced weather monitoring stations across the holy sites. The system includes both manned and automated stations, along with four mobile weather-monitoring units to enhance surveillance and emergency response capabilities.

Officials said the center would issue 24 hourly weather bulletins and eight synoptic weather reports during the Day of Tarwiyah. Automated alerts and special warnings will also be circulated whenever necessary through the Kingdom’s early warning systems.

The Saudi authorities have additionally launched multilingual awareness campaigns in five languages to educate pilgrims and workers about heat safety precautions and changing weather conditions during the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims have been advised to stay hydrated, regularly use umbrellas, avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun, and follow official health and safety instructions throughout the Hajj rituals as temperatures continue to remain extremely high across the holy sites.

Team Maverick.