MAKKAH, May 16 — Temperatures of between 35ºC and 45 ºC can cause health problems not only for haj pilgrims but also for staff present here, said Malaysian Haj Delegation 1445H/2024 Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman head.
He reminded pilgrims and Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) staff here to avoid excessive sun exposure.
“Drink enough water to maintain your health throughout your stay in the Holy Land,” he told a press conference at the TH headquarters here yesterday.
TH haj executive director advised pilgrims to ensure their safety as hotels in Makkah are further away from holy sites than those in Madinah.
“The accommodations in Makkah are around Masjidil Haram, with distances ranging from 400m to 900m. Not many pilgrims have arrived in Makkah yet, so it is somewhat quiet late at night and early in the morning.
“I hope the pilgrims will ensure their safety and walk in groups, as there are concerns about unwanted incidents affecting their safety and belongings,” he said.
A TH staffer in the Pos Laju section, Zulhairi Ismail, 41, said the hot weather requires him to take several precautions to avoid health issues and ensure he can continue to assist the pilgrims.
“Based on my research 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.
A pilgrim, Siti Mariam Mohamad, 70, from Perlis, said the weather in Madinah is hotter than in Makkah.
Siti Mariam, who arrived in Makkah on Tuesday, said she often drinks water, including zamzam water, to avoid getting tired quickly and ensure she can continue her pilgrimage.
— Bernama
