Saudi Arabia Hajj Death Toll Crosses 1300 in Mecca

Context: Thousands of Hajj pilgrims died in the oppressive heat of Saudi Arabia this year, with temperatures in Mecca reaching above 51 degrees Celsius.

Hajj Pilgrimage and Its Importance

• Definition and Pillar of Islam: Hajj, meaning “to set out for a place,” is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every Muslim is expected to undertake this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.
• Historical Background: The practice dates back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) around 4000 years ago.
• Rituals: Hajj involves multiple rituals over five to six days in and around Mecca, including circumambulations of the Kaaba, traverses between Safa and Marwa, praying at Mount Arafat, and the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina.
• Timing: It occurs from the 8th to the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. This year, it took place from June 14 to 19.

Hajj Quotas and Logistical Challenges

• Saudi Ministry’s Role: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah manages the pilgrimage logistics.
• Infrastructure Investments: Saudi Arabia has invested billions to improve infrastructure due to the rising number of pilgrims.
• Country-wise Quotas: Each year, the Saudi government allocates quotas based on the Muslim population of each country. This year, 1.75 lakh Indians were allowed, with 1.4 lakh through the Haj Committee of India and the rest via private operators. Worldwide, 1.8 million slots were distributed.

Pilgrim Deaths in 2023

• Overall Deaths: Hundreds of pilgrims died, with temperatures in Mecca exceeding 51 degrees Celsius. The majority, 530 according to Reuters, were from Egypt.
• Conditions for Illegal Pilgrims: Many Egyptian pilgrims came on tourist visas, which are illegal for Hajj and do not provide access to official facilities like air-conditioned tents, making them more vulnerable to heat.

Indian Pilgrims and Government Response

• Indian Death Toll: 98 Indians died during Hajj this year, compared to 187 last year. Deaths were mainly due to natural causes, chronic illnesses, and the extreme heat.
• Arafat Day Heatwave: Six Indian pilgrims died on the day of Arafat due to the heatwave.
• Government Measures: The Indian government has a dedicated Hajj mission in Jeddah, including medical missions, hospitals, and ambulances. This year, nearly 40,000 pilgrims over the age of 60 participated. A live portal was developed for real-time medical data and service tracking.

Handling of Deceased Pilgrims

• Procedure: When a pilgrim dies, local hospitals or mortuaries inform the country’s representatives. The consulate confirms the identity and gets a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the family for burial in Saudi Arabia.
• Burial: Most families agree to burial in Saudi Arabia, where properly marked graves are provided.

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