As Quarantine Eases... 1.6 Million Pilgrims Flock to Mecca in 45°C Heat

Islam's Largest Religious Event Mecca Pilgrimage
Held Without Quarantine Restrictions Since COVID-19 Pandemic
KCDC Urges "Caution Against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Infection"

The largest Islamic religious event, the Mecca pilgrimage (Hajj), is being held without quarantine restrictions for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the 25th (local time), the Saudi Ministry of Hajj announced that 1.6 million overseas pilgrims have arrived in the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The Ministry expects 2 million Muslims from 160 countries to participate in the pilgrimage, which runs from this day until the 1st of next month.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi authorities limited the number of pilgrims to 1,000 residents in Saudi Arabia in 2020 and 60,000 in 2021. Last year, foreign pilgrims were allowed for the first time in three years, with the number of participants eased to 1 million, and this year there are no restrictions on the number of participants. Before COVID-19, more than 2.5 million pilgrims gathered in Mecca and Medina.

On the 24th (local time), pilgrims from around the world are praying at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

The Mecca pilgrimage is divided into the frequently performed 'Umrah' and the annual 'Hajj,' which takes place from the 8th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar (Hijri calendar). Mecca is the birthplace of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. Every Muslim is required to participate in Hajj at least once in their lifetime if health and financial circumstances permit. Pilgrims must wear unstitched white cloth to avoid showing differences in wealth. Muslims worldwide regard Hajj as a once-in-a-lifetime wish and save money over a long period to participate. This year, participating in the pilgrimage costs about $6,000 USD (approximately 7.9 million KRW).

Currently, temperatures in Mecca have risen to 45 degrees Celsius, and authorities have deployed 32,000 medical personnel on-site to respond to heatstroke and dehydration symptoms among pilgrims caused by the extreme heat.

Meanwhile, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) warned on the 14th that visits to Saudi Arabia are expected to increase during the Islamic pilgrimage season and urged caution against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infection.

The KDCA stated, "Although the number of participants in the pilgrimage was limited from 2020 to last year due to COVID-19, this year the number has increased due to the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the easing of entry and exit restrictions in various countries, increasing the risk of MERS infection, so special caution is required."

Visitors to Saudi Arabia must follow personal hygiene rules such as hand washing and wearing masks. Since MERS is mainly transmitted through contact with camels or infected individuals, visitors should avoid drinking raw camel milk, eating undercooked camel meat, riding camels, and refrain from visiting medical institutions except for treatment purposes while in the country.