Week-long Islamic holy journey to commence in Mecca from tomorrow.
Hajj Takes Off on Wednesday in Mecca with Precautions Galore! 🕌🇦🇪
Get ready for a religious spectacle as over a million Muslims embark on the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj commencing in Mecca on Wednesday. This event, one of the five pillars of Islam, takes place in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It's an invite everyone who is healthy, wealthy, and resourceful enough to attend at least once in a lifetime.
During the Hajj, believers follow a series of sacred rituals, including circumambulating the Kaaba (a cubic building at the center of the Grand Mosque) and performing other religious tasks. After the disastrous heat-related incident in 2024 that claimed over 1,300 lives, Saudi authorities are pulling out all the stops this year to ensure a smooth event.
Expect thousands of medical professionals, hundreds of misting devices, and numerous shaded areas to keep things cool. Add AI to the mix, montering crowds and managing the information flow effectively.
Here's a quick peek into some of the prevention strategies that have been implemented based on the lessons learned from recent Hajj events:
- Beat the Heat: Authorities have boosted their efforts to manage heat risks by increasing cooling units, expanding shaded areas, and enhancing medical support. Pilgrims are also advised to avoid sunlight and wear protective clothing.
- Crowd Control: The use of drones and artificial intelligence for crowd monitoring, along with a considerable number of officials and agencies involved in crowd control and safety measures.
- Health and Vaccinations: Mandatory vaccines such as meningococcal and COVID-19 vaccines to ensure public health safety.
- Safety Kits and Awareness: Safety kits are provided to pilgrims that contain essential information on identifying and treating heat-related illnesses.
Stay tuned for updates on this year's Hajj! 🤲😊
Source: ntv.de, AFP
[1] Pilgrims urged to buy adequate clothing for Hajj to beat heat, says MSIH (https://www.arabnews.com/node/1857706/saudi-arabia)[2] Saudi Arabia announces vaccination requirement for new Hajj pilgrims (https://www.frameworkdemocracy.org/saudi-arisistanounces-vaccination-requirement-for-new-hajj-pilgrims/)[3] Hajj 2021: Rituals and Vaccines (https://www.theinternational.org/2021/11/17/hajj-2021-rituals-and-vaccines/)[4] How AI will make Hajj safer during COVID-19 pandemic (https://www.arabnews.com/node/1815131/technology)[5] Hajj 2021: Safety and Precautions (https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/8/18/hajj-2021-safety-and-precautions)
Many pilgrims are advised to purchase adequate clothing and follow protective measures to beat the heat during the Hajj on Wednesday in Mecca, a crucial tradition for Muslim lifestyle and travel. Thousands of medical professionals, hundreds of misting devices, and numerous shaded areas will be available to ensure polices for crowd control and health safety, with mandatory vaccines such as meningococcal and COVID-19 vaccines being enforced.
