Sweltering Heat Takes Toll on Hajj Pilgrims and Workers
The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca is a significant event in the Muslim calendar, drawing millions of faithful from around the world. This year, however, both the pilgrims and the workers who serve them faced an additional challenge – the scorching heat.
With temperatures soaring to 45 degrees Celsius, the heatwave made the Hajj even more physically demanding for the 1.8 million pilgrims and the tens of thousands of cleaners, security personnel, and medics who make the event possible. Held mostly outdoors with limited shade, the pilgrimage proved to be a test of endurance.
Among the workers were six cleaners, all from Bangladesh, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. They shared their concerns about the heat and the demanding nature of their job. Despite working 12-hour shifts without days off, these migrant workers are paid only 600 Saudi riyals (about $160) a month. After the Hajj, they will return to their other cleaning jobs in the country.
To mitigate the effects of the heat, the Saudi Health Ministry provided aid to more than 8,400 pilgrims who suffered from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, with nearly half of them requiring hospitalization. Some pilgrims resorted to using spray bottles and umbrella hats for shade, but the intensity of the sun left few places to escape its relentless rays. The situation was exacerbated by the lack of breeze and occasional sandstorms. Cellphones were prone to overheating and quickly shutting down.
In order to assist the pilgrims, authorities set up canopies and industrial misters in certain areas. Pilgrims were also equipped with spray bottles and umbrellas to offer some respite from the heat. They gratefully accepted free drinks distributed along the routes between the holy sites. However, the bottles were often discarded, left for workers to collect.
Around 14,000 workers, contracted from private companies, are responsible for cleaning up during and after the Hajj. Their efforts are vital to maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of the holy sites. The cleanup process typically takes a week, during which municipal workers collect the waste and utilize industrial compactors to dispose of it properly. The streets, campsites, and bridges in and around Mecca are sprayed with disinfectants and pesticides to protect the environment and prevent the spread of disease.
Despite the challenges, many pilgrims expressed that the journey was worth enduring the extreme heat. The Hajj holds tremendous spiritual significance, offering Muslims an opportunity to wash away their sins and draw closer to God. For some, it is a lifelong dream that requires years of saving and waiting for a permit.
In addition to the personal significance, the Hajj is also a source of national pride and legitimacy for the Saudi royal family. As the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, Saudi Arabia invests billions of dollars in organizing and hosting the pilgrimage, which attracts millions of pilgrims from all corners of the globe.
As the Hajj concludes and pilgrims return home, both the physical and spiritual challenges of the journey will remain ingrained in their memories. The sacrifices made, the hardships endured, and the profound experiences gained will continue to resonate with the faithful. Meanwhile, the workers who tirelessly served them in the blistering heat deserve recognition and support for their crucial role in making the Hajj possible. It is their unwavering dedication that ensures the pilgrimage can take place year after year, providing an opportunity for millions to fulfill their religious obligations and connect with their faith.
