Hajj pilgrims advised to stay within camps on Arafat Day to avoid heat exhaustion

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has advised Hajj pilgrims to stay within their designated camps from 10 am to 4 pm on the Day of Arafat in light of expected high temperatures.

He cautioned that random group movement could pose a significant threat to crowd management and pilgrims' safety.

Al-Rabiah made these comments while addressing heads of Hajj missions from various countries during the 49th Grand Hajj Symposium in Jeddah.

He instructed Hajj affairs offices to adhere strictly to the established regulations governing pilgrim movement within the holy sites, with a particular focus on ensuring their safety and the proper performance of religious rites.

The minister also underscored the need to use official transportation from Arafat to Muzdalifah instead of walking, highlighting that well-planned transport operations are crucial to managing crowds and preventing accidents. He emphasized that maintaining order during Hajj is a shared responsibility.

Al-Rabiah further stressed the importance of the Nusuk card, now mandatory for entering the Grand Mosque, accessing holy sites, and using public transport. He described the card as an essential regulatory mechanism for facilitating ritual observance and curbing unauthorized access.

He also announced that this year’s Hajj will feature intensified permit verification processes to ensure a safe and well-organized pilgrimage that honors the sanctity of the occasion.