The recent pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia has left many UAE residents exhausted yet grateful for the experience. The extreme heatwave in Makkah caused temperatures to skyrocket, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Dr. Syed Ahamed shared his experience of attending to fainting individuals due to dehydration and fatigue while waiting for transportation between Mount Arafat and Muzdalifa. His wife, Fathima Zohara Dawood, also witnessed many people passing out from the intense heat during the pilgrimage.
Despite the challenging conditions, the hujjaj continued with the core rituals of Haj, including worship at Mount Arafat and the stoning ritual at Jamarat. Due to the heatwave, the Jamarat was closed during the hottest hours of the day. Dubai resident Ayda Abubakar Ali highlighted the communal support and encouragement she received from locals and volunteers during the pilgrimage. However, the overcrowding and extreme temperatures made it a difficult and exhausting experience for many pilgrims.
Fathima mentioned that the stoning ritual was particularly crowded, leading some women to delegate the task to others due to the overwhelming conditions. The heat and crowds made it challenging for elderly and disabled pilgrims to carry out the rituals. Another pilgrim, Madiha Aslam Habib, described the difficulties faced during the Jamarat rites, including the lack of shade and scarcity of water. The transportation challenges and absence of assistance for weak and elderly pilgrims added to the hardships of the pilgrimage.
Dr. Syed emphasized the need for better crowd management to prevent fatal incidents in the heat. Madiha called for dedicated teams to provide essentials like water and guidance for pilgrims in combating the extreme temperatures. Despite the presence of volunteers distributing drinks and food packets, the distribution was sporadic, leaving some pilgrims without access to necessary supplies. Fathima shared a harrowing experience of passing out from exhaustion due to lack of water and the closure of shops during Eid celebrations.
In conclusion, the recent pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia during the heatwave presented many challenges for the hujjaj, including extreme temperatures, overcrowding, and limited access to essentials. The communal support and dedication of volunteers helped many pilgrims navigate the difficult conditions, but improvements in crowd management and essential services are essential to ensure the safety and well-being of all pilgrims in future Haj seasons. Despite the hardships faced, the pilgrims expressed gratitude for the opportunity to fulfill their religious obligations and experience the pilgrimage of a lifetime.
