Heat and Hope: Millions Gather at Mount Arafat for Pinnacle of Hajj 2025

News Desk

Islamabad: Thousands of pilgrims gathered at Mount Arafat on Thursday for the pinnacle of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, praying and reciting the Quran during the most spiritually significant and physically demanding day of the ritual.

Arriving before dawn to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures, worshippers—many holding colorful umbrellas—began ascending the sacred hill and spreading across the surrounding plain where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is believed to have delivered his final sermon.

Despite temperatures soaring above 40°C (104°F), many pilgrims remained at the site until sunset, enduring the desert heat as they observed hours of prayer. Saudi authorities had earlier urged pilgrims to avoid being outside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to minimize heat-related risks. To support this, misting fans and cooling stations were installed at the foot of the mount.Following sunset, pilgrims are scheduled to travel to Muzdalifah, a site between Arafat and Mina, to collect pebbles for the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual, which follows in the coming days.

“This is something I used to watch every year on television and dream of experiencing,” said Ali, a 33-year-old pilgrim from Pakistan. “I’ve been trying to come here for the past three years. I feel very blessed.”

The 2025 Hajj season has drawn approximately 1.5 million pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Many, like 54-year-old Adel Ismail from Syria, have taken extra precautions to avoid the harsh midday sun. “I came early to avoid the sun and will pray inside my tent later,” he said.

Saudi authorities have significantly enhanced heat mitigation efforts this year to prevent a repeat of last year’s tragedy, where 1,301 pilgrims died amid a record-breaking heatwave that peaked at 51.8°C. In response, the government mobilized over 250,000 personnel from 40 agencies, expanded shaded areas by 50,000 square meters, installed more than 400 cooling units, and deployed thousands of medical staff.The increased measures include high-tech crowd management tools, drone surveillance, and stricter enforcement against unregistered pilgrims, who in 2024 accounted for the majority of fatalities. These individuals often lack access to essential amenities such as air-conditioned tents and transportation.

Authorities have ramped up security with frequent raids and text alerts to prevent unauthorized access to holy sites. Hajj permits, distributed by country through a lottery system, remain in high demand despite the high costs involved.

For many pilgrims, the journey is a lifelong dream. “It’s a big dream that I had almost given up on,” said Iman Abdel Khaleq, an emotional woman in her fifties, as she stood at the foot of the mount.

Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in the pilgrimage, which generates billions annually through Hajj and the year-round Umrah pilgrimage.