A true spiritual and physical pilgrimage, the Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, requiring every physically and financially capable Muslim to travel to Mecca at least once in their life. This annual event is of vital importance to millions of worshipers around the world, and this year it was marked by harrowing tragedies.
During this year’s Hajj, more than 1,300 people lost their lives, with many deaths attributed to heat stress caused by extremely high temperatures. A particularly moving case was that of Ngatijo Wongso Sentono, an 86-year-old Indonesian man who died in his tent in Mina, near Mecca, while waiting for midday prayers. His daughter, Heru Jumartiyah, shared that her father was apparently in good health and enthusiastic about performing the Hajj, highlighting the importance of the act for Muslim faithful.
In Islamic culture, dying and being buried in Mecca is considered a supreme blessing, symbolizing profound spiritual completion. For Sentono’s family, the sense of peace and gratitude of knowing that he was buried in this holy place brought welcome comfort despite the sadness of his loss.
However, this year’s Hajj was also marked by challenges and tragedies, particularly due to the oppressive heat that gripped Mecca and its surrounding areas. Temperatures reached dangerous levels, causing hundreds of deaths and numerous cases of illness among pilgrims. Saudi authorities have stressed that the problem has been exacerbated by the high number of unauthorized pilgrims, accounting for more than eighty percent of the victims.
This situation raises questions about the organization and security of pilgrimages, highlighting the need to improve infrastructure and emergency protocols to protect the lives of the faithful. Testimonies from pilgrims who saw people lose consciousness or succumb to the heat highlight the urgency of concerted action to ensure the safety of all participants.
In a context where heat records are more and more frequent, the Hajj represents an additional challenge in terms of security and public health. Experts warn of growing risks from extreme weather, calling for concrete measures to mitigate the harmful effects of heat on pilgrims.
Ultimately, the Hajj remains a sacred and unmissable event for millions of believers around the world, but its performance must not come at the expense of the safety and well-being of participants. The story of Ngatijo Wongso Sentono and so many others highlights the need to take measures to ensure that this pilgrimage remains a time of contemplation and devotion in conditions that are safe and respectful of human life.