MINA — Pilgrims numbering about 2 million (1.47 international pilgrims and 500,000 domestic pilgrims) are already in the tent city, Mina, from their residences in Makkah early on Wednesday, Dhul Hijjah 8, to spend the Day of Tarwiyah, marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj.
About 50,000 Nigerians are taking part in the annual pilgrimage.
Crowd control
Crowd control for the pilgrimage includes carefully calibrated timetables, which significantly reduce congestion and enhance overall safety.
This year, the movement of crowds in Makkah and the Holy Sites is managed by a centralized, data-driven strategy that relies on real-time inputs from surveillance cameras, aerial monitoring and location-tracking applications.
This integrated approach allows authorities to respond effectively to emergencies, proactively reroute pedestrian flow, anticipate congestion points and guide pilgrims with precision, ensuring the seamless and dignified continuation of rituals at every stage.
No doubt, the crowd control this year is superb. The is achievable only through high-level inter-agency coordination, intensive field team training, and the ability to respond swiftly to changing conditions at every spot.
Spiritual activities
Following the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they are reciting talbiyah and glorifying God while heading to the Tent City. About 500,000 of domestic pilgrims join more than 1.47 million foreign pilgrims who came from all over the 223 countries to perform Hajj this year.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Qarni, director general of Hajj and Umrah at the General Transportation Center of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, said that international pilgrims have completed their arrival in Makkah, while domestic pilgrims reached Makkah and performed Tawaf Al-Qudum before heading to Mina tonight in preparation for performing the Hajj rituals.
“The arrival phase of international pilgrims has been completed, with travel between Makkah and Madinah occurring over the past 36 days. No incidents have been recorded that would impede the movement of pilgrims during this phase. We are now receiving domestic pilgrims, who started arriving in Makkah on Monday night and Tuesday and performed tawaf,” he said.
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Dr. Al-Qarni said that pilgrims’ movement will begin from 8:00 pm on Tuesday until 10 am on Wednesday. The Tarwiyah phase of the ascent from Mina to Arafat will begin via three modes of transportation. “The Mashair train will carry 316,000 pilgrims, while multi-modal and traditional transportation will transport approximately 720,000 pilgrims. These numbers include their arrival and ascending on Arafat on the morning of Thursday, Dhul Hijjah 9, the Day of Arafat,” he said.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance has completed preparations at Al-Khayf Mosque in Mina to receive pilgrims with spreading prayer rugs on an area covering more than 27,000 square meters as part of an integrated operational and technical service system designed to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for the pilgrims.
This year, Al-Khayf Mosque underwent several major upgrades, including a comprehensive overhaul of its air-conditioning and ventilation systems. The enhancements feature the installation of advanced cooling units connected to smart control systems, as well as monitoring systems that detect carbon dioxide levels and automatically activate fans and cooling devices, thereby improving operational efficiency and maximizing comfort for the pilgrims.
In the wake of the forecast of sweltering summer temperatures, the Saud authorities have made elaborate arrangements and preparations to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims. Dr. Abdullah Asir, deputy minister of health, said that the ministry has mobilized a total of 50,000 healthcare workers and administrative staff for the Hajj, far exceeding previous years’ numbers.
More than 700 hospital beds are ready, equipped with fans to treat severe cases of heat illnesses. “Capacity this year has been expanded by more than 60 percent compared to last year,” he said.
Eng. Khaled Al-Tala’a, spokesman of the Ministry of Health, revealed that the health status of pilgrims is stable. He announced the launch of three field hospitals and the operation of 71 emergency points. Al-Tala’a also noted that the bed capacity has increased by 60 percent compared to the previous year, and that more than 98,000 health services have been provided to date.
