MAKKAH, Saudi Arabia – As temperatures in Saudi Arabia are set to hit 50 degrees centigrade on Friday, July 7, 2023, the Kingdom’s Meteorological Agency, SAMA, has urged caution, especially among pilgrims.
This weather forecast was disclosed on Thursday, July 6, 2023, by Dr. Ibrahim Sodangi, the Makkah Coordinator of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, in an issued statement.
Given the extreme heat, the Saudi Government has advised pilgrims to perform the Jumma’at (Friday) prayers in the mosques nearest to their locations to avoid exposing themselves to the harsh weather conditions.
“Nigerian Pilgrims are therefore enjoined to comply with this directive,” Mr. Sodangi stated in his announcement.
The forthcoming heatwave underscores the challenges faced by pilgrims performing the Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, which requires Muslims who are physically and financially capable to make the journey to the holy city of Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
Extreme weather conditions, such as high temperatures, add an extra layer of complexity to the pilgrimage.
As such, local authorities are consistently emphasizing the need for pilgrims to stay hydrated and take necessary precautions against the heat.
