Muslims are currently in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the Hajj pilgrimage, facing significant challenges including extreme heat (already 41 degrees Celsius/106 Fahrenheit), a new ban on children under 12, and a crackdown on unauthorized entry. Over 1,300 pilgrims died last year due to heat. Saudi authorities are advising caution and have suspended short-term visas for 14 countries to curb unauthorized pilgrimages, imposing fines for illegal entry.
Hajj 2025: Rules, permits and heat
MeccaFarid Ahmed MajumderIslamSaudi ArabiaBangladeshLahoreMiddle EastAsia PacificSouth AsiaReligionSaudi Arabia government
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Muslims are currently in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the Hajj pilgrimage, facing significant challenges including extreme heat (already 41 degrees Celsius/106 Fahrenheit), a new ban on children under 12, and a crackdown on unauthorized entry. Over 1,300 pilgrims died last year due to heat. Saudi authorities are advising caution and have suspended short-term visas for 14 countries to curb unauthorized pilgrimages, imposing fines for illegal entry.
Trending- 1 More than 1,400 years ago: Hajj rituals originated.
- 2 Last year (2024): Over 1,300 Hajj pilgrims died due to heat.
- 3 December (previous year): Zaheer Ahmad applied for Hajj.
- 4 February (current year): Zaheer Ahmad finished his Hajj payments.
- 5 April (current year): Saudi Arabia suspended the issue of short-term visas for 14 countries.
- 6 May (current year): The Interior Ministry warned of fines for unauthorized entry into Mecca.
- 7 Current: Hajj 2025 is taking place.
- Over 1,300 deaths occurred last year due to extreme heat during Hajj.
- Children under 12 are banned from this year's Hajj.
- Pilgrims face higher costs due to depreciating currencies, inflation, and tax hikes.
- Some countries, like Bangladesh, failed to meet their Hajj quota due to high costs.
- Long waiting lists for Hajj exist in Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.
- Saudi Arabia suspended short-term visas for 14 countries to curb unauthorized pilgrimages.
- Fines of up to 20,000 riyals (about $5,330) are imposed for attempting to enter Mecca without the correct visa.
What: The Hajj pilgrimage is underway in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, marked by extreme heat, a new policy banning children under 12, and intensified efforts to prevent unauthorized entry. These measures follow a high death toll from heat during last year's Hajj.
When: The Hajj is currently taking place this year (2025). Last year (2024), over 1,300 people died due to heat. Saudi Arabia suspended short-term visas in April (current year).
Where: Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims are from various countries, including Pakistan (Lahore) and Bangladesh (Dhaka).
Why: Pilgrims undertake the Hajj to fulfill a religious obligation. The new rules and crackdowns are implemented by Saudi authorities to ensure safety, manage the immense crowds, and control capacity, especially given the dangers posed by extreme heat.
How: Saudi authorities are managing the Hajj by advising caution in direct sunlight, providing safety kits, implementing a ban on children under 12, suspending short-term visas for certain countries, and imposing fines for unauthorized entry into Mecca during the Hajj period.