This week, around 2 million Muslims are about to conclude their Hajj pilgrimage.
However, for the hundreds of Muslims who began their journey to the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, last Friday, extreme heat may pose a deadly threat.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other sources, at least 562 people have died during the pilgrimage.
Climate change poses a threat to the pilgrimage, with hundreds dying due to extreme heat.
According to medical and security sources, Egypt alone reported 307 deaths and 118 missing persons, with temperatures soaring to 51 degrees Celsius.
These extreme weather conditions pose serious threats to the health and safety of the pilgrims.
A witness described the scene: bodies were found by the roadside near Mina, outside Mecca, covered in white pilgrim garments (Ihram) until medical vehicles arrived.
This heartbreaking scene highlights the severe threat posed by high temperatures to pilgrims.
Pakistani pilgrim Wilayet Mustafa said, "The weather is so harsh, people cannot withstand such high temperatures."
His lament reflects the shared sentiment of many pilgrims.
Persistent high temperatures not only cause discomfort but also pose a direct threat to their lives.
Climate scientists warn that such deaths foreshadow the grim fate that tens of millions of Muslims might face in the coming decades during their pilgrimage.
Carl-Friedrich Schleussner, a scientific advisor at the German Climate Analytics Institute, said, "The pilgrimage has been held in a certain way for over a thousand years, and it has always been hot. But the climate crisis has exacerbated the severity of the conditions."
He emphasized the profound impact of climate change on traditional religious activities.
During the pilgrimage to the cube-shaped Kaaba in the Grand Mosque, pilgrims perform religious rituals passed down by the Prophet Muhammad to his followers 14 centuries ago.
Schleussner pointed out that important parts of the pilgrimage, such as climbing Mount Arafat, have become "extremely dangerous to human health."
The danger comes not only from the high temperatures but also from the intense physical exertion and crowded conditions during the pilgrimage.
The timing of the pilgrimage is determined by the lunar calendar, causing it to shift 10 days later each year.
Although the pilgrimage is now moving towards winter, by the 2040s, it will coincide with Saudi Arabia's summer peak.
Farhad Saeed, a climate scientist at Pakistan's Climate Analytics Institute, said, "This will be extremely deadly."
He predicts that future pilgrimages will face even more severe climate challenges.
Deaths from heatstroke during the pilgrimage are not new; there are records dating back to the 15th century.
Pilgrims are vulnerable to higher temperatures, intense physical exertion, exposure, and an aging population.
These factors combine to greatly increase the risk for pilgrims under extreme weather conditions.
In 2016, Saudi Arabia issued a heat strategy, including the construction of shaded areas, water points every 500 meters, and increased healthcare capacity.
Saudi health authorities warn pilgrims to stay hydrated during the pilgrimage and avoid going out between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Despite these measures aimed at protecting pilgrims' safety, their effectiveness is still limited under extreme heat conditions.
An Egyptian medical source told Reuters that the highest number of deaths were among those who did not officially register with the pilgrimage authorities and were forced to wander the streets enduring the heat.
These pilgrims, who failed to receive proper protection, face greater risks, highlighting the importance of effective management and organization.
Scientists say that misting cooling is only effective when temperatures are below 35 degrees Celsius.
If the temperature is too high, misting does not help, and in humid environments, when people struggle to cool down through sweating, misting can increase risks.
The combination of high heat and humidity makes it difficult for pilgrims' bodies to regulate their temperature, increasing the risk of heatstroke and dehydration.
In the future, to address the challenges posed by increasing climate change, governments and pilgrimage organizers need to implement stricter measures.
For example, medical facilities and emergency services during the pilgrimage need to be further enhanced to quickly address health issues caused by high temperatures.
Additionally, education and training for pilgrims should be strengthened to help them understand how to protect themselves under high-temperature conditions.
Moreover, the international community needs to pay more attention to the impact of climate change on religious and cultural activities.
Global climate policymakers should consider these factors to protect people's religious freedom and cultural traditions while addressing climate change.
Extreme heat poses a serious threat to pilgrimage activities, resulting in hundreds of deaths.
Climate change exacerbates this issue, presenting more severe challenges for future pilgrims.
Governments, pilgrimage organizers, and the international community need to work together to take effective measures to protect the health and safety of pilgrims.
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