The Hajj is being closely monitored to avoid any health and safety incidents as one and a half million faithful Muslims have made the trip to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage to Mecca.
From June 4 to 9, Saudi Arabia is hosting one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. All measures have been taken to avoid a scenario similar to last year’s, when more than 1,300 pilgrims died of heatstroke in temperatures approaching 51.8°C.
For this year’s event, the organizers are emphasizing the importance of the air-conditioning pass.
In order to coordinate the flow of pilgrims, anyone attempting to take part in the Hajj without a permit will be fined 5,000 euros, and banned from entering Saudi Arabia for up to ten years.
More than 50,000 medical staff are mobilized for medical care, and drones piloted by artificial intelligence are used to supervise pilgrims.