At least 900 deaths have been recorded during the annual pilgrimage to the sacred places of Islam. The heat reached exceptional temperatures - over 50 degrees - and particularly affected the elderly, the sick and women during traditional rites.

The Hajj involves, in addition to circling the Kaaba, prayer on Mount Arafat and the so-called "stoning of the devil" in which worshipers throw stones with all their might at three huge concrete walls meant to represent Satan. And it is in the last two sites, beaten by the scorching sun, that most of the deaths occurred.

According to Saudi officials, more than 1.83 million Muslims participated in Hajj rites this year, slightly fewer than in 2023 (1.84 million). There are 56,000 Egyptians registered as pilgrims, but those not registered could be many more. The pilgrimage takes place every year over five or six days in the twelfth month of the Muslim lunar calendar, and it is obligatory for physically capable and financially able Muslims to go to the Kaaba in Mecca at least once in their lives.

(Unioneonline/ss)

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