From misting systems to heat-reflective road coverings and new recycled rubber asphalt pavements, Saudi officials are working to help this year’s Hajj pilgrims to cope with the searing heat.
The annual pilgrimage, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, coincides again this year with the height of Saudi summer, with officials predicting highs of 45°C.
On Saturday, pilgrims will make an arduous 14km journey on foot from the Plains of Arafat, where the most important day of the Hajj pilgrimage is taking place, to Muzdalifah.
One of those initiatives includes the use of recycled flexible rubber asphalt in pedestrian walkways from Mina to the Plains of Arafat. The new roads are made with recycled rubber from tyres in an asphalt mixture, which helps reduce tyre waste accumulation and minimises pollution from tyre burning.
“We realise as we welcome more pilgrims each year post the coronavirus pandemic that we have to come up with innovative ways to ease and facilitate the pilgrims’ journeys in the holy sites as best as possible,” said Saleh Al Jasser, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services.
“Experiments have shown that the hardness of standard asphalt surfaces and sidewalks causes discomfort and issues for the ankles and feet of pilgrims, particularly the elderly, who make up 53 per cent of all pilgrims.”
This will be a reality facing pilgrims during the Hajj journey, said Dr Mohammed Al Abdali, spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Health.
“This will be the greatest challenge in this year’s Hajj season.”
The pilgrimage, which takes most people at least five days to complete, is a marathon, Dr Al Abdali said.
He said that pilgrims, especially those who are elderly or have health issues, “are exposed to the risk of exhaustion or heat stroke, which are dangerous”.
Last year, more than 10,000 cases of heat-related illnesses were documented, 10 per cent of which were heat stroke, according to the Health Ministry.
Since last year, roads used by pilgrims have been covered in a white cooling material that Hajj officials say reduces the temperature of the asphalt by 20 per cent.
The Ministry of Health has been sending awareness and guidance messages to pilgrims, stressing the significance of parasols for protection from sunstroke, particularly during the peak temperatures between 11am and 3pm.
For the first time, Hajj authorities have introduced a unit specialising in heat-related cases within Al Noor Hospital in Makkah.
“This unit deals only with heat exhaustion and heatstroke cases and includes modern beds with lower and upper mist sprinklers and special cooling devices,” Dr Ahmed Hawsawi, deputy executive director of Al Noor Hospital, told The National.
Across the sites of Makkah, Hajj authorities have also added infrastructure to tackle the heat challenges.
Near the Kaaba, the black cubic structure in the Grand Mosque towards which all Muslims pray, new air-conditioned spaces allow pilgrims to cool off, and a climate-controlled pathway now connects the hills of Safa and Marwa inside the mosque compound.
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
More coverage from the Future Forum
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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