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Home » Saudi Arabia Travel News » Saudi Arabia Pioneers Powerful AI Solutions To Heroically Safeguard Millions Of Haj Pilgrims From Sweltering Temperatures Tuesday, June 3, 2025Saudi Arabia is preparing to welcome over one million haj pilgrims this year despite the extreme summer heat that has historically posed significant risks in Mecca. The city is known for its intense desert temperatures, which have led to deadly incidents in the past. To protect the massive influx of worshippers, authorities have implemented a combination of traditional cooling measures and cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.The Ministry of Haj has made mitigating the effects of the severe heat a top priority ahead of the pilgrimage. This focus comes in the wake of last year’s tragedy when a heatwave pushed temperatures to nearly 52 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit), resulting in the deaths of more than 1,300 pilgrims. The devastating toll underscored the urgent need for comprehensive heat management strategies.In response, Saudi officials have coordinated efforts across more than 40 government agencies, deploying 250,000 personnel to ensure safety and crowd control. Infrastructure enhancements include the expansion of shaded areas by 50,000 square meters (approximately 12 acres), the deployment of thousands of additional medical workers, and the installation of over 400 cooling units throughout the pilgrimage sites. These measures aim to alleviate the oppressive heat and provide relief to the pilgrims during their strenuous rituals.Innovation plays a critical role in this year’s preparations. An AI-powered tool has been introduced to predict biological age by analyzing selfies, allowing medical teams to better monitor the health and vulnerabilities of individuals in real time. Additionally, infrastructure upgrades around the Grand Mosque have involved resurfacing asphalt with special coatings designed to lower surface temperatures, creating a cooler and safer environment for the millions of visitors.As of this week, over one million pilgrims from around the globe have already arrived in Saudi Arabia, with more expected to join before the pilgrimage begins officially on June 4. Last year, the holy city hosted 1.8 million pilgrims, making this one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.Saudi authorities are also deploying advanced AI technology to handle the vast amounts of data generated during the event. A new fleet of drones equipped with high-definition cameras will monitor crowd movements and safety conditions from the air, feeding real-time video to AI systems capable of analyzing the footage to detect risks or emergencies quickly.Managing such enormous crowds has always been a complex challenge. In 2015, a tragic stampede led to approximately 2,300 deaths, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the history of the haj. Since then, Saudi Arabia has made significant investments in infrastructure and safety protocols to prevent similar catastrophes.Part of these safety efforts involves controlling the number of pilgrims who enter Mecca. Saudi officials have intensified checks to prevent unauthorized individuals from participating in the haj. Last year, over 80 percent of the deaths during the pilgrimage were among those who lacked official permits, which denied them access to essential services like air-conditioned tents and proper medical care.Haj permits are distributed to countries based on a quota system and then allocated to individual pilgrims through a lottery process. However, the high costs associated with securing official permits drive some to attempt the pilgrimage without authorization, despite the risks of arrest and deportation.To combat this issue, Saudi authorities have conducted targeted raids, launched wide-reaching media campaigns, and increased fines for violators. Penalties for unauthorized participation include potential bans of up to ten years from entering the kingdom, reflecting the seriousness with which officials are treating the problem.This year’s pilgrimage will last at least four days, with most rituals taking place outdoors. As one of the five pillars of Islam, the haj is a mandatory religious duty that all Muslims who are physically and financially able must undertake at least once in their lifetime.In recent years, the timing of the haj has coincided with Saudi Arabia’s hottest months, exposing pilgrims to extreme heat while performing physically demanding rites. The combination of tradition, religious devotion, and the challenges of climate has made the Saudi government’s safety measures more critical than ever.With this comprehensive approach—combining infrastructure improvements, AI innovation, strict permit enforcement, and massive logistical coordination—Saudi Arabia aims to ensure the safety and well-being of millions of haj pilgrims despite the harsh summer conditions. The world will be watching as this monumental event unfolds under the shadow of one of the planet’s most extreme climates.
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