Images of the pilgrimage to Mecca in 2023 arouse deep emotion and raise crucial questions about the organization and security of the faithful. The tragedy which struck more than 1,000 pilgrims, causing the death of many participants and the disappearance of dozens of others, cannot leave anyone indifferent.
Screenshots from videos posted online reveal the confusion and disorder in Mina, a few kilometers from Mecca. Pilgrims filming inanimate bodies, covered in white sheets, bear witness to the dramatic situation on site. The testimonies collected by AFP highlight a failing organization, poor treatment of victims and a lack of appropriate assistance.
The lack of official data from Saudi Arabia raises questions about the true extent of this tragedy. Social networks echo these shocking events, highlighting the scale of the deaths and the chaos reigning during the pilgrimage.
The causes of this disaster are multiple. If the extreme heat, exceeding 50°C, played a major role in deaths from sunstroke, unscrupulous travel agencies are also being blamed. By circumventing official quotas established by Saudi Arabia, these agencies endanger the lives of pilgrims by involving them in unauthorized journeys. Pilgrims thus find themselves deprived of essential facilities provided by the Saudi authorities, such as air-conditioned tents and water supplies.
The responsibility of the Saudi authorities is called into question, as is that of the travel agencies offering tourist visas diverted for the pilgrimage. In Tunisia, for example, many deceased pilgrims left with such a visa. This situation highlights the inequalities in access to pilgrimage, reserved primarily for an elite who can afford the high cost of traveling with an official delegation.
It is crucial that measures are taken to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims during the hajj. A re-evaluation of travel agency practices, better coordination of relief efforts and increased monitoring of travel conditions are essential to avoid such tragedies in the future. Compliance with official quotas and equitable access for all worshipers to the pilgrimage must be top priorities to ensure the safety of this central religious practice for millions of Muslims around the world.