Saudi minister praises leadership’s $9M upgrades ensuring comfort for 1.8M Hajj pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has launched extensive $9 million infrastructure projects including AI monitoring, cooling umbrellas, misting fans, and water units to combat extreme heat for 1.8 million pilgrims. The minister’s recent inspection highlights the Kingdom’s intensified efforts to guarantee a safe, comfortable Hajj experience amid rising heat risks.

Sources:
NDTVArabnews
Updated 1h ago
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Sources: ArabnewsNDTV
Saudi Arabia has invested over $9 million in upgrades at key Hajj sites to enhance comfort for the 1.8 million pilgrims attending in 2024.

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, inaugurated eight development projects including the installation of 19 structural umbrellas at Namira Mosque in Arafat, which reduce temperatures by up to 10°C in shaded areas through heat-reflective coatings.

In Mina, authorities installed 57 misting fans at Al-Khaif Mosque and public restrooms, alongside 70 cold water production units capable of supplying 140,000 pilgrims per hour, ensuring hydration and relief from the desert heat.

Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah emphasized that mitigating the searing heat remains a top priority, with more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials mobilized to manage risks.

Advanced technology plays a key role, as the latest artificial intelligence software and a new fleet of drones monitor crowds and conditions across Mecca to enhance safety and response.

Al-Sheikh praised the Kingdom’s leadership for their generous support, highlighting the commitment to ensuring pilgrims perform rituals in comfort and tranquility.

These comprehensive measures follow concerns from last year, where over 80% of deaths occurred among pilgrims without official permits, who lacked access to air-conditioned facilities.

The upgrades and coordinated efforts reflect Saudi Arabia’s dedication to improving the Hajj experience amid challenging desert conditions.
Sources: ArabnewsNDTV
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs inaugurated $9 million in upgrades at holy sites, including heat-reducing umbrellas and misting fans, to ensure comfort for 1.8 million Hajj pilgrims. Authorities mobilized 250,000 officials and advanced AI and drone monitoring to mitigate heat risks during the pilgrimage.
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The Headline

Saudi Arabia deploys $9M upgrades and AI to ensure Hajj comfort

The Kingdom is committed to ensuring that pilgrims can perform their rituals in comfort and tranquility.
Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs
Arabnews
Key Facts
  • 1.8 million pilgrims gathered in Mecca for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, marking a significant turnout.NDTV
  • Efforts to mitigate searing desert heat were emphasized as a top priority by Hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah ahead of the 2024 pilgrimage.NDTV
  • Authorities mobilized more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling efforts to reduce heat-related risks during Hajj 2024.NDTV
  • The deployment of latest AI software and a new fleet of drones helped monitor information and footage across Mecca to enhance safety and management.NDTV
  • Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, inspected holy sites and inaugurated eight development projects worth over $9 million to improve pilgrim comfort.Arabnews
  • Upgrades include 19 structural umbrellas at Namira Mosque in Arafat, heat-reflective coatings reducing temperatures by up to 10°C, 57 misting fans at Al-Khaif Mosque, and 70 cold water production units supplying 140,000 pilgrims per hour.Arabnews
Key Stats at a Glance
Number of pilgrims attending 2024 Hajj
1.8 million pilgrims
NDTV
Number of government agencies mobilized
40 government agencies
NDTV
Number of officials mobilized
250,000 officials
NDTV
Value of development projects inaugurated
$9 million
Arabnews
Number of development projects inaugurated
8 projects
Arabnews
Number of structural umbrellas installed at Namira Mosque
19 umbrellas
Arabnews
Temperature reduction due to heat-reflective coatings
10°C
Arabnews
Number of misting fans installed at Al-Khaif Mosque
57 fans
Arabnews
Number of cold water production units installed
70 units
Arabnews
Pilgrim supply capacity of cold water units per hour
140,000 pilgrims per hour
Arabnews
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Background Context

Last year's Hajj deaths linked to unpermitted pilgrims lacking services

Key Facts
  • More than 80% of deaths during last year's Hajj occurred among pilgrims who lacked official permits, which prevented them from accessing critical services such as air-conditioned tents.NDTV
Key Stats at a Glance
Percentage of deaths among unpermitted pilgrims during last year's Hajj
80%
NDTV
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