The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has warned of extremely high temperatures during the upcoming Arafat rites and has issued strict guidelines to safeguard pilgrims from heat-related risks.
According to a statement shared by Muhammad Sani Shaffi, a senior official of Nigeria’s National Hajj Commission, pilgrims are advised to remain in their tents between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Arafat Day to avoid sunstroke. The Ministry also cautioned against visiting Jabalur-Rahma during peak heat hours.
To enhance safety, the Arafat Day Khutbah (sermon) will be broadcast directly into pilgrims’ tents. After sunset, pilgrims are to wait in their tents for official buses to transport them to Muzdalifah, as trekking is strictly prohibited.
The Ministry, in collaboration with Saudi agencies and Hajj Affairs Offices, has approved specific movement schedules for stoning at Jamaraat. Nigerian Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and tour operators have been instructed to enforce these schedules strictly.
Pilgrims without valid Hajj permits are barred from entering tents, with penalties set for any organization found harboring unauthorized individuals. The Ministry also directed that Hadaya (sacrificial offerings) be conducted only through officially approved companies.
Over 1.4 million pilgrims are participating in this year’s Hajj, including more than 42,000 from Nigeria. The Hajj rites will reach their peak at Mount Arafat on Thursday, June 5, and conclude with the Eid al-Adha animal sacrifice on Friday, June 6, 2025.
