Hajj 2025 to Be Last Summer Pilgrimage Until 2042: Saudi Authority

Islamabad: The Saudi National Meteorological Center (NMC) has announced that Hajj 2025 will be the last time the annual Islamic pilgrimage falls during the intense summer heat—for at least the next 16 years.

Starting in 2026, Hajj dates will gradually shift into cooler seasons, initially moving into spring and eventually into winter. This transition is due to the Islamic lunar calendar, which moves approximately 10 days earlier each year compared to the Gregorian calendar.

The shift comes as welcome news for millions of pilgrims who have endured soaring temperatures in recent years. During Hajj 2024, temperatures in Makkah ranged from a sweltering 46°C to 51°C, leading to more than 2,760 cases of heatstroke reported in a single day, along with several heat-related fatalities.

According to the NMC, the pilgrimage will be held in the spring season from 2026 to 2033, followed by winter from 2034 to 2041. Hajj is expected to return to the summer months in 2042, marking the beginning of another nine-year cycle of hot-season pilgrimages.

In light of growing climate challenges, Saudi authorities have ramped up heat mitigation efforts. These include increasing shaded areas, boosting access to water stations, deploying mobile cooling units, and launching extensive public awareness campaigns on heat safety.

For Hajj 2024, the Kingdom introduced 33 new weather monitoring stations and extended the use of mobile radar systems to improve real-time climate monitoring across all major pilgrimage sites.

With over 1.8 million pilgrims expected to attend Hajj 2025, Saudi officials say preparations are underway for one final summer test before ushering in a cooler, safer, and more sustainable era of pilgrimage.

In a related development, Saudi Arabia approved an additional Hajj quota of 10,000 for Pakistani pilgrims who missed the initial registration deadline. The decision came following a formal request by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.