The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, began on Thursday with over 1.5 million pilgrims making their way to Mina, located 7 km northeast of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The pilgrims, dressed in white seamless ihram, will spend the Tarwiyah Day in prayers and meditation in preparation for the standing at Arafat on Saturday. Mina is a valley surrounded by mountains and is only inhabited during the period of Hajj. The Saudi authorities have mobilized all their resources to ensure a hassle-free experience for the pilgrims, with advanced residential towers constructed to accommodate over 30,000 pilgrims. The Mashaer Train has also been prepared to facilitate the movement of pilgrims between Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat.
The Mashaer Train, with a capacity of 72,000 passengers per hour, connects the Holy Sites of Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat, providing a faster and efficient mode of transportation for pilgrims. The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture have deployed over 2,000 employees to provide water services for the pilgrims, with daily pumping exceeding 750,000 cubic meters in Makkah and reaching one million cubic meters at peak times. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics has implemented the flexible rubber asphalt initiative in pedestrian walkways in the Holy Sites to reduce temperatures by about 20 percent on these roads, providing a more comfortable experience for the pilgrims.
The Ministry of Health and Saudi Red Crescent Authority have completed preparations to provide medical and emergency services for the pilgrims. New hospitals have been set up in Mina with specialized departments for heat exhaustion and sunstroke, equipped with modern equipment to handle emergency cases. Mina Emergency Hospital can accommodate about 200 beds and has a separate allocation for cases of heat stress, while Mina Al-Jisr Hospital has a capacity of 150 beds, including critical care units. The Saudi Red Crescent Authority has deployed over 2,500 medical personnel and a fleet of ambulances to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims.
In conclusion, the annual Hajj pilgrimage is a significant event in the Islamic calendar, attracting millions of pilgrims from around the world to Makkah. The Saudi authorities have taken all necessary measures to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage experience for the pilgrims, from providing advanced residential towers to constructing the Mashaer Train and implementing initiatives to improve pedestrian walkways. The Ministry of Health and Saudi Red Crescent Authority are ready to provide medical and emergency services for the pilgrims, with new hospitals set up in Mina equipped with modern equipment and specialized departments. The pilgrimage is a once in a lifetime journey for many, and the Saudi government is committed to making it a memorable and spiritually fulfilling experience for all participants.
