The Hajj Pilgrimage: A Journey of Faith and Challenges

Huda Omari found herself outside a broker’s office in Jordan, patiently waiting for her visa to embark on the annual hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, in Egypt, Magda Moussa’s three sons pooled their resources, managing to gather nearly $9,000 to accompany their mother on the sacred journey. When Magda finally received approval for the trip, the joyous ululations of relatives and neighbors in her village filled the air.

The hajj pilgrimage, a deeply spiritual voyage, is known for its physical and emotional challenges even in the best of circumstances. This year, however, with scorching temperatures reaching record highs, over 1,300 pilgrims did not survive the journey. Saudi authorities reported that more than 80% of the deceased were pilgrims who had attempted the pilgrimage without the necessary permits.

Both Huda Omari and Magda Moussa were part of a group of unregistered pilgrims who had turned to illegal or fraudulent tour operators to bypass the official permit process. Despite being prepared for the demanding nature of the once-in-a-lifetime trip, they were not prepared for the extreme heat and the mistreatment they would face.

Reflecting on her experience, Huda Omari, 51, expressed, “We were humiliated and punished for being there illegally,” upon her return home. With nearly two million participants each year, deaths during the hajj from heat stress, illness, or chronic diseases are not uncommon. However, the exact figures are not regularly disclosed by Saudi Arabia. In past years, fatalities have been significant, with 774 pilgrims perishing from Indonesia alone in one year, and over 1,700 casualties in 1985 due to heat stress.