By Africalivenews Staff
As the sacred annual Hajj pilgrimage officially begins on Wednesday, more than two million Muslim worshippers from around the globe are arriving in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The five-day religious ritual—considered one of the five pillars of Islam—remains a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey.
With pilgrims performing intense rites amid high temperatures and vast crowds, Saudi authorities have introduced an array of health and technological measures to ensure a safer and more efficient pilgrimage in 2025.
A Journey of Faith and Endurance
Hajj is not only a spiritual journey, but also a test of physical and emotional endurance. Pilgrims often walk more than 25 kilometers daily in extreme heat, shoulder to shoulder with thousands of others, navigating unfamiliar terrains, languages, and customs.
The pilgrimage involves rituals such as the Tawaf—circling the Kaaba seven times—the symbolic stoning of the devil at Mina, and standing in prayer at Mount Arafat. Many participants report the experience as life-changing, despite the challenging conditions.
“This is my first time performing Hajj,” said Belhajj Beafo, a pilgrim from Algeria. Overcome with emotion, he shared, “May God enable me, God willing… The rituals have been completed, and we hope that Hajj will be performed by everyone who wishes for it.”
Layla Saad, a pilgrim from Egypt, expressed her spiritual intentions upon arriving in Mecca. “My first prayer, God willing, will be for the people of Gaza and the people of Sudan,” she said. “God willing, our Lord will spare the bloodshed of all Arab countries.”
Describing her first glimpse of the Grand Mosque, she added, “What an indescribable feeling… it’s something beautiful, very, very beautiful. You wish it had come when you were younger — but thank God it has come.”
Expanding Health and Emergency Services
To accommodate this year’s massive turnout and mitigate health risks posed by intense heat and crowd density, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has scaled up emergency readiness significantly.
Health Minister Fahad bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel outlined several measures taken to support pilgrims. “We are anticipating various environmental and health challenges such as heatstroke, sunstroke, and even rainfall,” he said in a recent press briefing.
Key initiatives include:
- Expanded shade structures in pedestrian areas to protect pilgrims from direct sunlight.
- More misting fans across holy sites to cool down walking paths.
- A large-scale tree-planting campaign, with the Royal Commission for Makkah and the Holy Sites planting 10,000 trees to reduce heat and offer natural shade.
“We are working closely with our partners across government sectors to implement innovative solutions,” Al-Jalajel added.
In terms of medical infrastructure, bed capacity across holy sites has increased by 60%. A brand-new 200-bed emergency hospital has been established in Mina to deal with critical cases during the peak of the pilgrimage. Additionally, three mobile field hospitals have been activated, supported by the Ministries of National Guard, Defence, and Interior.
“These facilities ensure rapid response in high-density zones,” Al-Jalajel said, emphasizing the ministry’s commitment to delivering timely medical care.
Technology Takes Center Stage
This year’s Hajj is also marked by a significant leap in technological integration, with drones playing a central role in monitoring crowd movements, responding to emergencies, and improving logistics.
“For the first time, we are deploying drones to monitor congested areas, detect fires, and deliver medical supplies,” said Al-Jalajel. “This innovation solves a major logistical hurdle. In previous years, transporting medicine by road was slow due to overcrowding, but drones enable us to deliver urgent supplies directly to where they’re needed.”
Advanced surveillance systems and AI-powered analytics are also being used to assess real-time crowd dynamics and ensure proactive management of traffic and movement flows.
Furthermore, smart wristbands embedded with GPS are being distributed to pilgrims, allowing authorities to track missing persons and provide medical alerts in case of emergencies.
“This integration of health, logistics, and technology represents a turning point in how we manage large-scale religious gatherings,” Al-Jalajel stated.
A Global Gathering With Regional Sentiment
This year’s Hajj is taking place under the shadow of ongoing humanitarian crises in parts of the Arab world. Many pilgrims are using the opportunity to pray for peace, especially in conflict zones like Gaza and Sudan.
“My heart aches for what’s happening in Gaza and Sudan,” said Layla Saad. “This pilgrimage isn’t just for ourselves. We carry the hopes and prayers of millions.”
Pilgrims from various parts of the world—Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey, Pakistan, and Europe—have also arrived in Mecca, sharing a unified message of faith and solidarity.
Safety First: Weather and Crowd Control
With Mecca’s temperatures soaring beyond 40°C (104°F), Saudi Arabia’s Meteorological Authority has issued heat advisories, urging pilgrims to stay hydrated and avoid sun exposure during peak hours. Emergency response units have been deployed along pilgrimage routes, equipped with ambulances, first aid stations, and water distribution points.
Additionally, volunteers from the Red Crescent Society and public health workers are stationed throughout key pilgrimage sites to provide assistance.
To manage the flow of millions, authorities have implemented a staggered schedule for ritual observances, along with designated lanes and signage to prevent bottlenecks. Large digital screens display real-time information in multiple languages to help non-Arabic-speaking pilgrims navigate safely.
Conclusion: A Sacred Duty Embraced With Modern Support
As the 2025 Hajj unfolds, Saudi Arabia’s ability to merge faith, tradition, and technology is on full display. With millions arriving to fulfill a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual obligation, the Kingdom’s expanded health services and use of drones, smart tools, and environmental planning highlight a new chapter in managing large-scale religious gatherings.
For the faithful like Belhajj Beafo and Layla Saad, the journey is not just a physical endeavor—it is a deeply transformative experience of devotion, unity, and prayer for a better world.
“God willing, this Hajj will bring peace not only to our souls but to the entire ummah,” said Beafo, his voice full of hope.
