Haj deaths show challenge of shielding pilgrims from scorching climate

RIYADH: Hundreds of the pilgrims who died in fierce heat at this year’s Haj were not officially registered with the Saudi authorities, with the result that many had no access to vital services like air-conditioned buses and cool-off tents.

The deaths highlight a looming challenge for organisers as climate change takes hold in the region: the practice of requiring official permits for such services is stirring concern that unregistered pilgrims could increasingly be exposed to life-threatening temperatures.

At the same time, high prices for official Haj packages are driving some Muslims to take cheaper unofficial routes to the ritual, even though these lack the crucial permits, and to exploit an easing of curbs on some other kinds of Saudi visas.

The unregistered pilgrims’ lack of a permit made it difficult to provide them with services and care, the security spokesman for Saudi’s Ministry of Interior, Colonel Talal bin Shalhoub, said in an interview on Saudi TV channel al-Arabiya.

Critics of the government say all pilgrims, whatever their status, should be protected from heat, and allege the authorities this year cracked down on unauthorised attendees.

“This focus on registered visit versus unregistered is a red herring ... If you are there and you need help, you should get access to it,” said Khalid al-Jabri, a physician who worked for the Saudi security agency that oversees Haj and is currently part of the Saudi opposition in exile.