MAKKAH: Temperatures between 35 to 45 degrees Celsius can cause health problems not only for the haj pilgrims but also for the staff present in the Holy Land at this time.
Following this, head of Malaysian Haj Delegation 1445H/2024 Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman has asked the pilgrims and staff of the Tabung Haji (TH) to avoid excessive exposure to the hot sun.
"The hot weather of 35 to 45 degrees Celsius is a challenge for the pilgrims, so do not be too exposed.
"Drink enough water to maintain health throughout your stay in the Holy Land," he told a press conference at the TH headquarters here yesterday.
The TH Haj executive director advised the pilgrims to always ensure their safety since the location of the hotels in Makkah is different from those in Madinah, which are closer to the Prophet's Mosque.
"The accommodations in Makkah are around Masjidil Haram, with distances ranging from 400 to 900 metres.
"Currently, not many pilgrims have arrived in Makkah yet, causing the atmosphere to be somewhat quiet late at night and early in the morning.
"Therefore, I hope the pilgrims will ensure their safety and walk in groups and not alone, as there are concerns about potential unwanted incidents affecting their safety and belongings," he said.
Meanwhile, for a TH staff in the Pos Laju section, Zulhairi Ismail, 41, the hot weather requires him to take several precautions to avoid health issues and ensure he can continue to assist the haj pilgrims.
"Based on my readings about the weather here, I have prepared some essentials like moisturising cream. The heat causes the skin and lips to dry quickly. Thankfully, with the preparations I made, including wearing a face mask and taking vitamins, I can reduce these problems," he told Bernama.
Meanwhile, a pilgrim, Siti Mariam Mohamad, 70, from Perlis, believes that the weather in Madinah is hotter than in Makkah.Siti Mariam, who just arrived in Makkah on Tuesday said that she often drinks water, including zam-zam water, to avoid getting tired quickly and to ensure she can continue her worship. - BERNAMA