Climate change made Hajj pilgrimage deadlier last year: Saudi authorities announce big changes
In order to keep safe the thousands of pilgrims performing the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia has announced strict rules for Hajj 2025.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslims undertook the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage. It started in mid-June last year, usually a dry period in Saudi Arabia. But more than 1,300 people could not make it back home as climate change made temperatures lethal for many.
The planet is getting hotter day by day. To do the annual Hajj pilgrimage, people need to cover a distance of 6 to 21 km on foot each day. Many pilgrims are older and not in good health, making them more susceptible to heat stress.
In order to keep safe the thousands of pilgrims performing the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia has announced strict rules for Hajj 2025. For example, authorities have prohibited children from accompanying adults because of the large number of attendees.
Saudi Arabia is also going to give preference to first-time pilgrims for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. This measure is meant to let more Muslims across the globe get the opportunity to perform the sacred journey at least once in their lifetime.
