Between heat and war, Saudi Arabia seeks incident-free Hajj

Between heat and war, Saudi Arabia seeks incident-free Hajj

Mecca's temperature reached a high of 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday and is expected to hit 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 Celsius) on Wednesday.

Adam Lucente

May 26, 2026

A Muslim pilgrim sits while covering the head with a book and praying on Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage early on May 26, 2026. — Zain JAAFAR / AFP via Getty Images

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Saudi authorities urged worshippers on Tuesday to avoid direct exposure to the sun in an effort to mitigate deaths during the Hajj pilgrimage season. The kingdom is seeking a controversy-free holy season amid the conflict with Iran and following its success in reducing deaths last year.

The temperature on Tuesday reached a high of 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 Celsius) and is expected to reach 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42........

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