RIYADH — Deadly incidents during the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, are not uncommon. But this year, some 1,300 pilgrims have reportedly died, with authorities attributing the deaths to temperatures that have reached 50 °C (122 °F).
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Most of the dead were from Egypt. Many are still searching for missing relatives. Last year, more than 200 pilgrims, mostly from Indonesia, died during the Hajj, which is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. The pilgrimage is increasingly impacted by climate change; a Saudi study found that temperatures in the region are rising by 0.4 °C every decade.
What was shocking this year were photos and videos on social media that show dead pilgrims on the roads under the hot sun. The incidents appeared to be beyond the control of the organizers, exposing negligence that Saudi authorities tried to avoid and sometimes ignore.
Recent incidents
The incidents that have occurred since King Salman assumed power in 2015, appear somewhat different from previous incidents given the number of deaths and causes. They come as Saudi Arabia is trying to attract tourists and present itself as a technologically, economically and even politically advanced country.
In 2015, a massive crane at the Grand Mosque in Mecca collapsed, killing 108 and injuring 238. International media covered the incident, blaming a severe storm for the collapse but ignoring the issue of why a large crane was present at the time of Hajj. Saudi authorities blamed and punished the construction firm, Bin Laden Group — a sign that King Salman and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have embarked on reforms that include fighting corruption.
Two weeks later, a stampede in Mina killed more than 2,400 pilgrims — one of the deadliest Hajj incidents. Saudi Arabia did not give the reasons for the stampede, calling it “fate and destiny.” But at that time, Saudi Arabia did not care about world public opinion as it does today.
The incident also had political dimension: Saudi-Iranian tensions. Iranian pilgrims were partly blamed for causing the stampede and the death of their fellow pilgrims. This was not the first time that Iranian pilgrims have been accused of causing repeated Hajj accidents.
Failed propaganda
Nine years later, Saudi authorities have cracked down on unauthorized pilgrims. Saudi Arabian now requires pilgrims to obtain a expensive Hajj permits. But the country’s expansion of general visitor visas since 2019 has opened the door for many pilgrims performing Hajj illegally. Many pilgrims without Hajj permits managed to stay in Mecca to perform the rituals. Dozens died from the burning sun heat.
The deaths received international news coverage. While many linked the deaths to the high temperatures, this weather is common in Mecca at this time of the year. And this was not the first time Hajj fell in the summer. These deaths were not caused by a stampede, collapse or other unexpected emergency. The incident is deliberate; these pilgrims did not receive the attention of paramedics or rescue and emergency services.
This sends a clear message to future pilgrims.
The Saudi government decided, with its usual cruel nonchalance, that the way to prevent unauthorized pilgrims was not to provide them with services — if that caused their death. This sends a clear message to future pilgrims.
The policy follows the Saudi strategy over the past nine years for dealing with its citizens and residents: moody decisions and arrogant in implementation. The propaganda machine that has emerged in recent years cannot portray all the services provided to pilgrims as if they were supernatural abilities and exceptional things.
Organizing the Hajj is not an easy task, as pilgrims tend not to be luxury-class tourists. A large number of them are elderly people, who need assistance and care. As its organizer, Saudi Arabia, must be transparent and take responsibility. Hajj should not be a political issue that countries compete over to collect money or to gain more power and influence.
