Pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat as Hajj reaches peak amid soaring temperatures

Huge numbers of Muslims prayed on Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat early on May 26, 2026, marking the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. Over 1.5 million worshippers gathered on the rocky hill, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, where they recited Quranic verses under a punishing desert sun that sent temperatures soaring towards 40 degrees Celsius.

Pilgrims, clad in white robes, defied searing temperatures and the lingering shadow of war in the Middle East, sparked by US-Israeli actions against Iran, to fulfill a lifelong dream. Despite the regional conflict, which has impacted travel for some, Saudi officials reported that more pilgrims had journeyed from abroad this year compared to 2025. Volunteers distributed water bottles, parasols, and food packages to the vast crowds making their way to the sacred site.

The Hajj, one of Islam's five pillars, requires all Muslims with the means to perform it at least once. In response to the extreme heat, which reached 44 degrees Celsius in Mecca recently, Saudi authorities have urged pilgrims to stay hydrated and protected from the sun. This year, significant heat-mitigation measures were in place, including expanded shaded areas and the deployment of over 50,000 healthcare staff and 3,000 ambulances. These efforts follow the tragic deaths of more than 1,300 people in 2024 due to extreme heat.

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It is an indescribable feeling.