At least 922 Hajj pilgrims have perished over the past few days while performing the annual rituals in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia due to intense heat, news agency AFP reported. The faithful were searching for their missing relatives and friends Wednesday (Jun 19) as the mercury soared over 50 degrees Celsius in Islam's holiest city. Earlier on Monday, the temperature here was recorded at a whopping 51.8 degrees Celsius.

Among the dead, 'at least 600' are from Egypt alone, according to an Arab diplomat cited by AFP. On Wednesday, the Egypt death toll hovered around 300.

The diplomat also added they had received "1,400 reports of missing Egyptian pilgrims", including the 600 dead.

It has been reported that some of the pilgrims were not officially registered and lacked a valid hajj permit, due to which they were not able to access air-conditioned facilities. Most of the dead 600 Egyptian pilgrims were unregistered, according to the diplomat.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Heatwave kills 922 during Hajj pilgrimage, several missing

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Every year, almost 1.8 million people from across the world visit Mecca to take part in a mostly outdoor pilgrimage. Hajj is considered one of the five pillars of Islam and Muslims with the means are advised to visit Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

Saudi Arabian authorities say the temperatures here have risen 0.4 degrees each decade, piling more misery on the faithful crowd.

<h2>'68 dead from India'</h2>

AFP quoted an Asian diplomat as saying that at least 68 Indians have also perished in the deadly heat conditions in Mecca.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjpgrnrl-mGAxWZsFYBHVpWB10QxfQBKAB6BAgREAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hajj-2024-turkish-pilgrim-undergoes-life-saving-brain-surgery-in-saudi-arabia-732439" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/hajj-2024-turkish-pilgrim-undergoes-life-saving-brain-surgery-in-saudi-arabia-732439&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjpgrnrl-mGAxWZsFYBHVpWB10QxfQBKAB6BAgREAE">Hajj 2024: Turkish pilgrim undergoes life-saving brain surgery in Saudi Arabia</a>

"Some (died) because of natural causes and we had many old-age pilgrims. And some are due to the weather conditions, that's what we assume," the diplomat said. The deaths have also been confirmed by Jordan, Indonesia, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia and Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region.

<h2>The role of Saudi authorities</h2>

In 2016, the Saudi government took several measures to help pilgrims brave the heat by erecting shaded areas, establishing drinking water points every 500 metres, and improving health care capacity.

Health authorities also advised people to stay hydrated and rest properly, especially during the peak hot hours between 11 am and 3 pm.

However, some pilgrims have reported not being allowed to rest during the ritual.

A Pakistani pilgrim, Mustafa, was quoted as saying by the news agency Reuters that police asked him to keep moving ahead as and when he stopped pushing his mother in a wheelchair to rest.&nbsp;

"I was amazed to see that there were no efforts made by the Saudi government to provide any shelter or any water," Mustafa said.

(With inputs from agencies)

At least 922 Hajj pilgrims have perished over the past few days while performing the annual rituals in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia due to intense heat, news agency AFP reported.

At least 922 Hajj pilgrims have perished over the past few days while performing the annual rituals in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia due to intense heat, news agency AFP reported. The faithful were searching for their missing relatives and friends Wednesday (Jun 19) as the mercury soared over 50 degrees Celsius in Islam's holiest city. Earlier on Monday, the temperature here was recorded at a whopping 51.8 degrees Celsius. Among the dead, 'at least 600' are from Egypt alone, according to an Arab diplomat cited by AFP. On Wednesday, the Egypt death toll hovered around 300. The diplomat also added they had received "1,400 reports of missing Egyptian pilgrims", including the 600 dead. It has been reported that some of the pilgrims were not officially registered and lacked a valid hajj permit, due to which they were not able to access air-conditioned facilities. Most of the dead 600 Egyptian pilgrims were unregistered, according to the diplomat. Watch: Heatwave kills 922 during Hajj pilgrimage, several missing × Every year, almost 1.8 million people from across the world visit Mecca to take part in a mostly outdoor pilgrimage. Hajj is considered one of the five pillars of Islam and Muslims with the means are advised to visit Mecca at least once in their lifetime. Saudi Arabian authorities say the temperatures here have risen 0.4 degrees each decade, piling more misery on the faithful crowd. '68 dead from India' AFP quoted an Asian diplomat as saying that at least 68 Indians have also perished in the deadly heat conditions in Mecca. Also read: Hajj 2024: Turkish pilgrim undergoes life-saving brain surgery in Saudi Arabia "Some (died) because of natural causes and we had many old-age pilgrims. And some are due to the weather conditions, that's what we assume," the diplomat said. The deaths have also been confirmed by Jordan, Indonesia, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia and Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region. The role of Saudi authorities In 2016, the Saudi government took several measures to help pilgrims brave the heat by erecting shaded areas, establishing drinking water points every 500 metres, and improving health care capacity. Health authorities also advised people to stay hydrated and rest properly, especially during the peak hot hours between 11 am and 3 pm. However, some pilgrims have reported not being allowed to rest during the ritual. A Pakistani pilgrim, Mustafa, was quoted as saying by the news agency Reuters that police asked him to keep moving ahead as and when he stopped pushing his mother in a wheelchair to rest. "I was amazed to see that there were no efforts made by the Saudi government to provide any shelter or any water," Mustafa said. (With inputs from agencies)

Hajj pilgrims death: Toll reaches 922 amid intense heat, 600 fatalities from Egypt alone

On Wings this week: - The Hajj Pilgrimage, Explained. - Deep Dive Dubai: World's deepest pool. - Algeria, this week's country in focus. - Annual Rose Festival in Bulgaria. Only on WION, World Is One.

The Hajj Pilgrimage, Explained

Breaking a three-year rule of restrictions to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia on Monday announced there will be no limit on the number of pilgrims for this year's Hajj.

Breaking a three-year rule of restrictions to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia on Monday announced there will be no limit on the number of pilgrims for this year's Hajj. The kingdom also scrapped the age limit of 18 to 65 for vaccinated pilgrims that was imposed due to the pandemic. "The number of pilgrims will return to what it was before the pandemic, without any age limit," Umrah Tawfiq al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj was quoted as saying by AFP. During the opening of #Hajj_Expo 2023, H.E. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq AlRabiah announces: “Number of Hajj pilgrims in 1444H will return to how it was before the Coronavirus pandemic without age restrictions.”#Makkah_and_Madinah_Eagerly_Await_You pic.twitter.com/IZaPNqapIV — Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) January 9, 2023 × This year's Hajj pilgrimage is scheduled to begin in June. Last year, the kingdom opened its gates for nearly one million people with foreign visitors being allowed for the first time in two years. WATCH | Saudi Arabia: Women can now attend Hajj without male guardian × In the end, over 900,000 pilgrims, including some 780,000 from abroad visited the holy sites of Mecca and Medina for the pilgrimage. Last year in October, the Saudi authorities, took another progressive step and announced that a woman pilgrim no longer needed to be accompanied by a male guardian or 'mahram' to perform Hajj. Experts believe that such changes are expected to drive the number of pilgrims visiting the country substantially. Additionally, local reports have stated that the ministry will give priority to those during the registration who have not made the pilgrimage before. Read more: Saudi Arabia: Women Hajj pilgrims no longer need to be accompanied by male guardian The pilgrimage is one of five pillars of Islam, which all able-bodied Muslims with the means are required to perform at least once. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

No restrictions on number of Hajj pilgrims this year, announces Saudi Arabia

White-robed worshippers from around the world have packed the streets of Islam's holiest city ahead of the biggest hajj pilgrimage since&nbsp;the coronavirus&nbsp;pandemic&nbsp;began.

Banners welcoming the faithful, including the first international visitors&nbsp;since&nbsp;2019, adorned squares and alleys, while armed security forces patrolled the ancient city, birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed.

"This is pure joy," Sudanese pilgrim Abdel Qader Kheder told AFP in Mecca, before the event which officially starts Wednesday. "I almost can't believe I am here. I am enjoying every moment."

One&nbsp;million&nbsp;people, including 850,000 from abroad, are allowed at this year's&nbsp;hajj&nbsp;after two years of drastically curtailed numbers due to the&nbsp;pandemic. The&nbsp;pilgrimage&nbsp;is one of five pillars of Islam, which all able-bodied Muslims with the means are required to perform at least once.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hajj-pilgrimage-confusion-among-travellers-over-new-saudi-registration-system-492290">Travel cos face losses, applicants confused over Saudi's Hajj registration system</a>

At least 650,000 overseas pilgrims have arrived so far in&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia, the authorities said on Sunday.

But authorities on Monday barred nearly 100,000 people from entering Mecca, imposing a security cordon around the holy city. A security official said 288 people were arrested and fined for attempting to perform the&nbsp;hajj&nbsp;without permits.

In 2019, about 2.5&nbsp;million&nbsp;people took part in the rituals, which also include gathering at Mount Arafat and "stoning the devil" in Mina.

The following year, when the&nbsp;pandemic&nbsp;took hold, foreigners were barred and worshippers were restricted to just 10,000 to stop the&nbsp;hajj&nbsp;from turning into a global super-spreader.

That figure rose to 60,000 fully vaccinated&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;citizens and residents in 2021.

Pilgrims this year -- only those younger than 65 are allowed -- will participate under strict sanitary conditions.

The&nbsp;hajj&nbsp;has seen numerous disasters over the years, including a 2015 stampede that killed up to 2,300 people and a 1979 attack by hundreds of gunmen that, according to the official toll, left 153 dead.

Unaccompanied women&nbsp;

On Monday afternoon, pilgrims carrying umbrellas to shield themselves from the scorching sun flocked to souvenir and barber shops in Mecca, while others shared meals under palm trees on streets close to the Grand Mosque.

Many new arrivals had already begun performing the first ritual, which requires walking seven times around the Kaaba, the large black cubic structure at the centre of the Grand Mosque.

Made from granite and draped in a cloth featuring verses from the Koran, the Kaaba stands nearly 15 metres (50 feet) tall. It is the structure all Muslims turn towards to pray, no matter where they are in the world.

"When I first saw the Kaaba I felt something weird and started crying," Egyptian pilgrim Mohammed Lotfi told AFP.

Watch |&nbsp;The West Asia Post | Saudi Hajj lottery system slammed by pilgrims

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The&nbsp;pilgrimage&nbsp;is a powerful source of prestige for the conservative desert kingdom and its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is returning from the diplomatic wilderness.

The&nbsp;hajj, which&nbsp;costs at least $5,000 per person, is a money-spinner for the world's&nbsp;biggest&nbsp;oil exporter trying to diversify its economy. In normal years the&nbsp;pilgrimage&nbsp;brings in billions of dollars.

It is also a chance to showcase the kingdom's rapid social transformation, despite persistent complaints about human rights abuses and limits on personal freedoms.

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia now allows women to attend the&nbsp;hajj&nbsp;unaccompanied by male relatives, a requirement that was dropped last year.

Serenity

Masks are no longer compulsory in most enclosed spaces in&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia but they will be mandatory at the Grand Mosque, the holiest site in Islam. Pilgrims from abroad will have to submit a negative PCR test result.&nbsp;

The Grand Mosque will be "washed 10 times a day... by more than 4,000 male and female workers", with more than 130,000 litres (34,000 gallons) of disinfectant used each time, authorities said.

Since&nbsp;the start of the&nbsp;pandemic,&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia has registered more than 795,000 coronavirus cases, 9,000 of them fatal, in a population of about 34&nbsp;million.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/saudi-arabia-welcomes-first-foreign-pilgrims-after-covid-hiatus-485076">Saudi Arabia welcomes first foreign pilgrims after COVID-19 hiatus</a>

Aside from Covid, another challenge is the scorching sun in one of the world's hottest and driest regions, where temperatures have already topped 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in parts of&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia.

But Iraqi pilgrim Ahmed Abdul-Hassan al-Fatlawi said the heat is the last thing he thinks of when in Mecca.

"I am 60 years old, so it's normal if I get physically tired because of the hot weather, but I am in a state of serenity, and that's all that matters to me," he told AFP. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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White-robed worshippers from around the world have packed the streets of Islam's holiest city ahead of the biggest hajj pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic began.

White-robed worshippers from around the world have packed the streets of Islam's holiest city ahead of the biggest hajj pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic began. Banners welcoming the faithful, including the first international visitors since 2019, adorned squares and alleys, while armed security forces patrolled the ancient city, birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed. "This is pure joy," Sudanese pilgrim Abdel Qader Kheder told AFP in Mecca, before the event which officially starts Wednesday. "I almost can't believe I am here. I am enjoying every moment." One million people, including 850,000 from abroad, are allowed at this year's hajj after two years of drastically curtailed numbers due to the pandemic. The pilgrimage is one of five pillars of Islam, which all able-bodied Muslims with the means are required to perform at least once. Also read | Travel cos face losses, applicants confused over Saudi's Hajj registration system At least 650,000 overseas pilgrims have arrived so far in Saudi Arabia, the authorities said on Sunday. But authorities on Monday barred nearly 100,000 people from entering Mecca, imposing a security cordon around the holy city. A security official said 288 people were arrested and fined for attempting to perform the hajj without permits. In 2019, about 2.5 million people took part in the rituals, which also include gathering at Mount Arafat and "stoning the devil" in Mina. The following year, when the pandemic took hold, foreigners were barred and worshippers were restricted to just 10,000 to stop the hajj from turning into a global super-spreader. That figure rose to 60,000 fully vaccinated Saudi citizens and residents in 2021. Pilgrims this year -- only those younger than 65 are allowed -- will participate under strict sanitary conditions. The hajj has seen numerous disasters over the years, including a 2015 stampede that killed up to 2,300 people and a 1979 attack by hundreds of gunmen that, according to the official toll, left 153 dead. Unaccompanied women On Monday afternoon, pilgrims carrying umbrellas to shield themselves from the scorching sun flocked to souvenir and barber shops in Mecca, while others shared meals under palm trees on streets close to the Grand Mosque. Many new arrivals had already begun performing the first ritual, which requires walking seven times around the Kaaba, the large black cubic structure at the centre of the Grand Mosque. Made from granite and draped in a cloth featuring verses from the Koran, the Kaaba stands nearly 15 metres (50 feet) tall. It is the structure all Muslims turn towards to pray, no matter where they are in the world. "When I first saw the Kaaba I felt something weird and started crying," Egyptian pilgrim Mohammed Lotfi told AFP. Watch | The West Asia Post | Saudi Hajj lottery system slammed by pilgrims The pilgrimage is a powerful source of prestige for the conservative desert kingdom and its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is returning from the diplomatic wilderness. The hajj, which costs at least $5,000 per person, is a money-spinner for the world's biggest oil exporter trying to diversify its economy. In normal years the pilgrimage brings in billions of dollars. It is also a chance to showcase the kingdom's rapid social transformation, despite persistent complaints about human rights abuses and limits on personal freedoms. Saudi Arabia now allows women to attend the hajj unaccompanied by male relatives, a requirement that was dropped last year. Serenity Masks are no longer compulsory in most enclosed spaces in Saudi Arabia but they will be mandatory at the Grand Mosque, the holiest site in Islam. Pilgrims from abroad will have to submit a negative PCR test result. The Grand Mosque will be "washed 10 times a day... by more than 4,000 male and female workers", with more than 130,000 litres (34,000 gallons) of disinfectant used each time, authorities said. Since the start of the pandemic, Saudi Arabia has registered more than 795,000 coronavirus cases, 9,000 of them fatal, in a population of about 34 million. Also read | Saudi Arabia welcomes first foreign pilgrims after COVID-19 hiatus Aside from Covid, another challenge is the scorching sun in one of the world's hottest and driest regions, where temperatures have already topped 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in parts of Saudi Arabia. But Iraqi pilgrim Ahmed Abdul-Hassan al-Fatlawi said the heat is the last thing he thinks of when in Mecca. "I am 60 years old, so it's normal if I get physically tired because of the hot weather, but I am in a state of serenity, and that's all that matters to me," he told AFP. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Saudi Arabia welcomes 1 million for biggest hajj pilgrimage since pandemic

Saudi Arabia welcomes first foreign pilgrims after COVID-19 hiatus

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;said Saturday it will permit one&nbsp;million&nbsp;Muslims from inside and outside the country to participate in this&nbsp;year's&nbsp;hajj, a sharp uptick after pandemic restrictions forced two years of drastically pared-down pilgrimages.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;hajj&nbsp;ministry "has authorised one&nbsp;million&nbsp;pilgrims, both foreign and domestic, to perform the&nbsp;hajj&nbsp;this&nbsp;year," it said in a&nbsp;statement.&nbsp;

One of the five pillars of Islam, the&nbsp;hajj&nbsp;must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lives. Usually one of the world's largest religious gatherings, about 2.5&nbsp;million&nbsp;people took part in 2019.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-yoga-committee-takes-part-in-100-days-countdown-campaign-to-international-day-of-yoga-2022-468036">Saudi Yoga Committee takes part in 100 days countdown campaign to International Day of Yoga 2022</a>

But after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020,&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;authorities allowed only 1,000&nbsp;pilgrims&nbsp;to participate.&nbsp;

The following&nbsp;year, they upped the total to 60,000 fully vaccinated residents chosen through a lottery.&nbsp;

The restrictions have stoked resentment among Muslims abroad who were barred. Saturday's announcement said this&nbsp;year's&nbsp;hajj&nbsp;would be limited to vaccinated&nbsp;pilgrims&nbsp;under age 65.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Saudi Arabia becomes China's top crude oil supplier again as Russian imports fall

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Those coming from outside&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;will be required to submit a negative Covid-19 PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of travel.&nbsp;

The government wants to ensure&nbsp;pilgrims' safety "while ensuring that the maximum number of Muslims worldwide can perform the&nbsp;hajj", Saturday's&nbsp;statement&nbsp;said.

Also&nbsp;&nbsp;read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sends-anti-missile-interceptors-to-saudi-arabia-fulfills-urgent-request-464250">U.S. sends anti-missile interceptors to Saudi Arabia, fulfills urgent request</a>

The&nbsp;hajj&nbsp;consists of a series of religious rites that are completed over five days in Islam's holiest city, Mecca, and surrounding areas of western&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia.&nbsp;

Hosting the&nbsp;hajj&nbsp;is a matter of prestige for&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;rulers, as the custodianship of Islam's holiest sites is the most powerful source of their political legitimacy.

Saudi Arabia said Saturday it will permit one million Muslims from inside and outside the country to participate in this year's hajj, a sharp uptick after pandemic restrictions forced two years of drastically pared-down pilgrimages.

Saudi Arabia said Saturday it will permit one million Muslims from inside and outside the country to participate in this year's hajj, a sharp uptick after pandemic restrictions forced two years of drastically pared-down pilgrimages. The hajj ministry "has authorised one million pilgrims, both foreign and domestic, to perform the hajj this year," it said in a statement. One of the five pillars of Islam, the hajj must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lives. Usually one of the world's largest religious gatherings, about 2.5 million people took part in 2019. Also read | Saudi Yoga Committee takes part in 100 days countdown campaign to International Day of Yoga 2022 But after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Saudi authorities allowed only 1,000 pilgrims to participate. The following year, they upped the total to 60,000 fully vaccinated residents chosen through a lottery. The restrictions have stoked resentment among Muslims abroad who were barred. Saturday's announcement said this year's hajj would be limited to vaccinated pilgrims under age 65. Watch | Saudi Arabia becomes China's top crude oil supplier again as Russian imports fall Those coming from outside Saudi Arabia will be required to submit a negative Covid-19 PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of travel. The government wants to ensure pilgrims' safety "while ensuring that the maximum number of Muslims worldwide can perform the hajj", Saturday's statement said. Also read | U.S. sends anti-missile interceptors to Saudi Arabia, fulfills urgent request The hajj consists of a series of religious rites that are completed over five days in Islam's holiest city, Mecca, and surrounding areas of western Saudi Arabia. Hosting the hajj is a matter of prestige for Saudi rulers, as the custodianship of Islam's holiest sites is the most powerful source of their political legitimacy.

Saudi Arabia to allow one million hajj pilgrims this year

Of the total 10,000 pilgrims, 70 percent will be non-Saudis residing in the Kingdom, while the remaining 30 percent will be citizens

S. Arabia issues Hajj health measures for domestic pilgrims

Muslims at hajj gather on Mount Arafat to atone for sins

More than 2 million pilgrims gathered in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia on Friday to perform initial rites of the hajj, an Islamic pilgrimage that takes the faithful along a path traversed by the Prophet Muhammad some 1,400 years ago.

2 million pilgrims begin annual Hajj in Mecca

hajj-pilgrims

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